Australian tennis great Jelena Dokic has opened up about the death of her estranged father, Damir Dokic, calling the grief ‘difficult and complicated’.
The 67-year-old passed away on May 16, 2025, following a decade-long estrangement from his daughter.
Jelena made the announcement through a heartfelt social media post, revealing the mixed emotions she felt.
‘It is never easy losing a parent and a father, even one you are estranged from,’ she wrote.
Her words struck a chord with many who have followed her painful family history.
Jelena’s early tennis success came under the shadow of a deeply troubled relationship with her father.
Jelena Dokic opens up about losing her estranged father, revealing the deep emotional complexities behind their relationship
The former tennis star bravely shares memories of childhood abuse while navigating the grief of her father’s passing
As her coach, Damir was both controlling and abusive, subjecting her to emotional and physical torment behind the scenes.
In her memoir Unbreakable, Jelena revealed he once kicked her for losing a match and threatened her with a gun.
His violent outbursts extended beyond their household – he was banned from tournaments like Wimbledon for aggressive behaviour.
Jelena eventually cut ties in 2002 and has not spoken to her father for nearly ten years.
Even so, the moment of his passing hit her with unexpected complexity.
‘Maybe not even grief, but more so like closure or a chapter that’s kind of finished,’ she told NewsWire.
She explained she was swamped with work when the news broke and had little space to process the loss.
In quieter moments, however, surrounded by her close friends – her ‘ride or dies’ – Jelena has begun unpacking the layers of that grief.
Despite long-term estrangement, Dokic describes her father’s death as complicated and closing an unfinished emotional chapter
Dokic continues to confront online abuse with confidence, blocking negativity while focusing on her advocacy work
Her childhood was defined by secrets, shame, and silence. She hid her abuse for years, building emotional walls that were hard to tear down.
She also struggled to form friendships during her playing days.
‘Some victims of and survivors of domestic violence and abuse… are not allowed to make friends,’ she said.
Jelena was one of them. Her father controlled who she spoke to and isolated her during her most formative years.
Now in her 40s, she is slowly rewriting that narrative. She speaks openly about what she endured to help others who may be suffering in silence.
‘I always believed I can get to that stage where one day I can smile,’ she said.
Her journey has not been easy. Jelena has battled depression, PTSD, anxiety, and eating disorders throughout her life.
Even now, social media trolls continue to send abuse, but she’s learned to deal with them. ‘I see one vile sentence, I delete straight away,’ she said.
Her resilience has become her strength. She’s not only survived abuse, but she has emerged as one of Australia’s leading voices on mental health, domestic violence, and bullying. Jelena wants people to know they are not alone.
‘I always try to believe that I am worthy and that it’s not my fault,’ she said.
