Former tennis star Jelena Dokic reveals her plans to start a family – and says her children will have a very different upbringing than she did at the hands of her abusive father Damir
Former tennis champion Jelena Dokic has shared plans to start a family with her Serbian partner Tin Bikic.
Speaking to Good Health & Wellbeing, the 37-year-old confirmed that marriage and children are in her and Tim’s future.
She also said that her children will be raised differently to how she was, seemingly referring to her abusive father Damir.
Future plans: Former tennis champion Jelena Dokic has shared plans to start a family with her Serbian partner Tin Bikic
‘Marriage is on the list,’ she revealed. ‘And while we’re not planning on having kids right now, it’s one of the things that is very important.’
She added: ‘I want to raise my children very differently from how I was raised.’
In her autobiography Unbreakable, Dokic claimed that her father Damir regularly beat and whipped her from the age of six.
Despite battling depression and even contemplating suicide, Dokic attempted to make up with her father.
‘Marriage is on the list’: Speaking to Good Health & Wellbeing, the 37-year-old confirmed that marriage and children are in her and Tim’s future
But after years of turmoil, she has said she’s given up trying and has made peace with the fact the relationship cannot be salvaged.
‘I’m okay with that, I’ve made my peace with that,’ she told Now to Love.
‘As I’ve gotten older and I’m getting closer to having my own family, I realise that you have to let go of the bad things in your life.’
Dokic was once ranked as World No. 4 and beat tennis greats Venus Williams and Martina Hingis.
Flashback: She also said her children will be raised differently to how she was, seemingly referring to her abusive father Damir. Jelena pictured with parents Damir and Liliana
However, towards the end of her career, she was plagued by injury and she underwent wrist surgery in 2012.
Two years later, Dokic was forced to retire but kept close ties to the sport through coaching and commentary.
It was only when she released her autobiography years down the track that the world learned the harsh truth behind her star-studded career.
The tennis legend said the worst beating she ever endured at the hands of her father was after losing early on at the 2000 du Maurier Open in Canada.
Tough times: In her autobiography Unbreakable, Dokic claimed that her father Damir regularly beat and whipped her from the age of six
‘It was a really nasty memory that will stay with me forever… I ended up fainting,’ she recalled.
She alleged she was whipped with a leather belt if she had a bad training session and her shins were kicked with heavy dress shoes, often leaving her bruised and bloodied.
During Dokic’s career, her father Damir often drew negative attention.
His outbursts at a series of major events led him to be barred from the women’s tour for half a year in 2000.
Backlash: During Dokic’s career, her father Damir often drew negative attention
He smashed a reporter’s phone at Wimbledon and fought a camera crew at the Australian Open.
Under the constant glare of media, Damir made the decision to pack up his bags and take Dokic back to the Serbian capital Belgrade.
She returned to the tennis court as a Serbian citizen and the reception at the 2001 Australia Open was icy with spectators booing the former Australian representative.
Her father now lives in Croatia and manufactures brandy. Dokic said she always hoped her father would change as a person but admits he has never apologised.
‘You can’t choose your parents and your family and that’s fine,’ she said.
Still standing: Dokic has kept close ties to the sport through coaching and commentary