Former world No. 4 and Wimbledon semi-finalist Jelena Dokic announced on Wednesday that her father and one-time coach, Damir Dokic, died last Friday. In a heartfelt social media post, Jelena spoke of “conflicting and complex emotions and feelings” after their relationship, marked by years of abuse and estrangement, came to an end.
“Losing a Parent, Even an Estranged One”
In her Instagram statement, Dokic acknowledged the pain of losing a father with whom she had little contact for the past decade. “As you know, my relationship with my father has been difficult and painful with a lot of history,” she wrote alongside a photograph of them when she was a young child. Despite the turbulence, Dokic added, “it is never easy losing a parent and a father, even one you are estranged from.”
She asked for privacy for herself and her family: “This is the end of a chapter and life as I know it. There are lots of conflicting and complex emotions and feelings for me. For now, I will leave it there. Please respect mine and the rest of my family’s privacy at this time.”
A Stellar Career Marred by Early Turmoil
Rise to Tennis Prominence
Jelena Dokic burst onto the tennis scene in the late 1990s. Born in Osijek, then part of Yugoslavia, she moved with her family to Australia in 1999 and quickly ascended the junior rankings. In 1999, at just 16, she stunned the tennis world by upsetting world No. 1 Martina Hingis at Wimbledon. Over the next decade, Dokic reached a career-high ranking of world No. 4, made the 2000 Wimbledon semi-finals and the 2001 Australian Open quarter-finals, and became a fixture in Grand Slam draws.
Transition to Media and Advocacy
After retiring from the WTA tour in 2014, Dokic carved out a successful second career as a tennis commentator and pundit for ABC and Eurosport. She has also spoken candidly about mental health, surviving suicidal ideation in 2022, and advocated for greater player welfare on the professional tour.
Damir Dokic: Coach, Controversy, Conviction
Coaching Daughter to Early Success
Damir Dokic coached Jelena from her earliest days in tennis, where his intense methods and fierce determination helped propel her to junior and professional success. He was a fixture in her player box through the 1990s and early 2000s, celebrated by some as a protective and passionate coach who believed deeply in his daughter’s talent.
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Public Outbursts and Bans
However, Damir’s fiery temperament often spilled over into public controversy. He was banned from WTA events on multiple occasions for on-court outbursts and confrontations with officials. At Wimbledon in 2000, he infamously served time in a penalty box in the stands for heckling linespeople who overruled his daughter’s calls. His volatility overshadowed many of Jelena’s triumphs and caused tension within the tennis community.
2009 Conviction
In 2009, Damir was convicted in a Serbian court for threatening to blow up the Australian ambassador to Belgrade. He served four months in prison, part of a sentence for what the court described as a “terroristic threat.” The episode deepened Jelena’s distress and contributed to the eventual dissolution of their relationship.
Estrangement and Abuse Allegations
Autobiography “Unbreakable” (2017)
In 2017, Dokic published her memoir Unbreakable, in which she recounted years of physical and emotional abuse at her father’s hands. She described waking each morning wondering “how to make sure he doesn’t hurt me today,” and detailed an instance in which he beat her so severely she lost consciousness. The book’s publication sparked widespread support for Dokic and placed a spotlight on the darker underbelly of elite junior coaching.
Estranged for Over a Decade
Since around 2015, Dokic had no meaningful contact with her father. Efforts at reconciliation—mediated by family members and representatives—failed to bridge the gulf created by her father’s past violence and erratic behavior. Despite mutual appeals from relatives for peace, Jelena maintained firm boundaries, prioritizing her mental health and safety.
Mental Health Struggles and Resilience
Public Battle with Depression
Dokic has spoken openly about her mental health struggles. In 2022, she revealed that she had come close to taking her own life as depression and anxiety overwhelmed her. Her transparency earned her praise for destigmatizing mental illness and highlighted the pressures facing retired athletes out of the spotlight.
Choosing Respect and Dignity
In her statement on her father’s death, Dokic reaffirmed her commitment to “respect, grace, kindness, dignity and empathy” even toward a man who caused her profound pain. She concluded simply: “For the end of this chapter, I choose to focus on a good memory like this picture.… And my final words. RIP.”
Legacy, Remembrance and Reactions
Tennis Community Pays Tribute
Former rivals and colleagues quickly took to social media to express condolences. Ashleigh Barty wrote, “Jelena, sending you love and strength. You are so brave.” Martina Hingis—whom Dokic famously defeated at 16—tweeted, “My heart goes out to Jelena. I remember her fight on court and admire her fight in life.” Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley called Damir’s passing “a moment of deep complexity,” acknowledging both his role in Jelena’s rise and the harm his actions caused.
Autobiography’s Film Adaptation
Last year saw release of the feature film adaptation of Unbreakable, in which actress Emma Mackey portrays a young Jelena. The movie’s director, Celia Rossi, praised Jelena’s courage: “Her story is one of triumph over adversity. Losing her father now must bring painful memories, but it also marks the close of a difficult chapter.” Dokic attended the premiere in Sydney but left early, in line with her preference for privacy.
Moving Forward: Privacy and Purpose
Dokic’s Focus on Advocacy
Despite the personal turmoil, Jelena continues to lend her voice to causes she cares about—advocating for mental-health awareness, athlete welfare, and safe sporting environments. She recently partnered with Beyond Blue on a youth mental-health campaign and remains a sought-after tennis analyst for major tournaments.
Family’s Call for Compassion
In closing her statement, Dokic asked for privacy for herself and her family: “It’s never easy losing a parent.” Her cousin, sibling—and now mother and son—will likely honor her wishes by keeping commemorations private. Yet family friends say Jelena will mark her father’s death with a quiet gathering, reflecting on childhood memories and paying respects to their shared history.
Conclusion: A Complex Farewell
The death of Damir Dokic underscores the complexity of familial bonds strained by abuse and betrayal. For Jelena, a tennis luminary who triumphed over on-court rivals and off-court demons, her father’s passing is both an end and a reminder of how far she has come. As she navigates grief layered with decades of pain, Dokic’s resilience shines through—transforming personal tragedy into public advocacy. In her own words, she remains committed to dignity and empathy: lessons hard-won on the court of life.
