Former Australian tennis champion Jelena Dokic will talk about her life in a new documentary to be released next month.
This week, a trailer for a documentary titled “Unbreakable” was released.
Dokic's story is well known. She was born in Yugoslavia and moved to Australia with her family when she was 11 years old.
Dokic made a name for herself as a talented junior tennis player, winning the US Open women's title in 1998 and the French Open doubles title with Kim Clijsters.
She won the Hopman Cup for Australia in 1999 with Mark Philippoussis.
Her breakthrough moment came that same year, at the age of 16, when she defeated Martina Hingis in the first round of Wimbledon qualifying to reach the quarter-finals.
In 2000 she reached the Wimbledon semi-finals, her best result at a Grand Slam.
After a turbulent period in the mid-2000s, she returned to tennis and had a fairy-tale run to the quarter-finals of the 2009 Australian Open.
But behind the scenes, her relationship with her father Damir Dokic was strained, and she detailed the horrific physical and emotional abuse she suffered at the hands of her father in her 2017 memoir Unbreakable.
The documentary has been three years in the making, and film studio Village Roadshow released the official trailer this week.
The film was written by Ivan O'Mahony and journalist Jessica Halloran and stars many of the biggest names in tennis.
In the trailer, Dokic breaks down in tears at one point as he reflects on the abuse he received from his father.
“I'm 16 years old. I play Martina Hingis, the world No. 1,” she said. “I knew if we lost it would be a disaster. The day after I lost, he was very angry. I knew what was going to happen.
“Not an inch of skin was unblemished. I'm 17 years old, and his actions have made me the most hated person.”
Featured is Dokic's contemporary Lindsay Davenport, a three-time Grand Slam champion and the world's top female tennis player at the turn of the century.
“The other players noticed the bruises,” said Davenport, who played against Dokic several times.
Added American doubles legend Pam Shriver: “When you look back and see what she accomplished, it's amazing.”
Australian journalist Richard Hynes says in the documentary: I asked some questions, but I hit a wall. ”
Influential tennis writer Christopher Crary added: I think many of us could be like that too. ”
The reaction to the trailer's release has been overwhelmingly positive, and Dokic has been flooded with support.
“Jelena Dokic's 'Unbreakable' trailer is so chilling,” tennis account Christian's Court wrote on X.
Now one of Australia's leading tennis commentators and a passionate advocate for mental health, Dokic has been very open about her struggles with body image and hit back at social media trolls who criticized her weight. I am doing it.
Earlier this year, the 41-year-old revealed she had lost 45 pounds as part of her health regimen.
The former tennis star said that during her own creeping health problems after turning 40, she started thinking seriously about her family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
“This is about health, not size. I've been asked so many questions about how I'm healthier and how much weight I've lost,” she said. “Losing weight was never a priority. It was just a byproduct of taking care of my health.”
Dokic said small changes over time helped her maintain her health goals.
“I stopped eating late at night, especially burgers, pizza, fries, and desserts, because I felt so sluggish, especially when I woke up for an early morning job or flight,” she said.
“So I don't eat anything heavy at night anymore, and I don't eat after 7 p.m. There have been small changes over time, and there are still days when I eat a cheeseburger and fries, but in much smaller amounts. and never eat junk food while working or traveling.
“It's just about consistency and making small changes over time. I've also increased my physical activity. Small changes for a healthier lifestyle. Remembering that one size doesn't fit all, and finding what works best for you. Please choose something. Everyone is different.”
