Jelena Dokic opens up about being a victim of domestic violence

Jelena Dokic has opened up about being a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her father for losing a tennis match as an active player on the WTA tour.

Trigger Warning: This article contains details of domestic violence and abuse.

Former World No. 4 Jelena Dokic has opened up about the domestic violence she faced at the age of 17. She was coached by her father Damir Dokic. In her book 'Unbreakable', which was released in 2017, the Australian presenter and coach spoke about the physical and mental abuse she faced from her father.

In an Instagram post, Dokic revealed that after speaking at a Domestic and Family Violence event, she decided to share images of her 17 year old self during the 2000 US Open with bruised and battered legs. She revealed that the injury was on account of her losing a match and was kicked in the shin all night with very sharp shoes by her father.

The 39-year-old also revealed that scars are present to this day and that her shins have become permanently 'sensitive' and 'bumpy' from the abuse.

Jelena Dokic also shed light on the stigma facing this issue and how society is complacent. She shared a harrowing truth about how her survival does not mean that every woman and girl who faces abuse will. Dokic also urged everyone to not abandon the victims in need.

"Swollen,bruised and bleeding shins from being beaten and kicked all night with sharp shoes right into my shins for losing a match.These images were taken more than 2 weeks later and I was still heavily bruised. I was 17 years old.To this day I still have sensitive and bumpy shins from this beating," Dokic's caption read.

"From every wound there is a scar and these are mine.I have survived but not everyone woman and girl has or will. And that’s the sad reality," it read further.

"For those that can please be there for those that need help and support.Don’t shy away from them and don’t abandon them.Coming from someone that has been there,abandoned and scared to death please don’t turn your back," her caption read.

Jelena Dokic's post with the full caption is below:

A fan who saw the post rightly pointed out that people are generally unaware of what players are going through behind closed doors.

"Jelena Dokic shares a photo of herself from the 2000 US Open, showing bruises on her knees from being kicked repeatedly for losing a match. Once again, we have no idea what these players we talk about so casually are actually going through," the fan tweeted.

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Jelena Dokic's best moments of her tennis career

Jelena Dokic at the 2011 French Open

Jelena Dokic, who was born in Croatia, then the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, turned pro in 1998 and retired from tennis in 2014. She reached a career-high ranking of No. 4. Currently, an Australian citizen, she represented Australia from 1998–2000 then again from 2006–2014 and Serbia and Montenegro from 2001–2005.

Dokic has won six singles titles in her career, at least one on all four surfaces. Her most memorable match was her first round match at the 1999 Wimbledon where she defeated the then No. 1 Martina Hingis 6-0, 6-1. Till date, that is the only instance where a qualifier has defeated a women's No. 1 player.

In Grand Slams, Jelena Dokic reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2000, the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 2000, and the French Open quarterfinals in 2009. At the US Open, she reached the fourth-round twice, once in 2000 and then again in 2001.

In 2001, the Yugoslav Olympic Committee declared her the Athelete of the Year.