Jelena Dokic reveals she almost took her own life

Former tennis star Jelena Dokic was crippled by constant crying in her darkest moments — but offered a message of hope to others.

Tennis commentator and former player Jelena Dokic has opened up on her mental health battle. Picture: Mark Stewart

Former tennis star Jelena Dokic has revealed she almost took her own life sharing the confession of her darkest moments online in the hope of encouraging others to seek help.

The Australian tennis great made the painful revelation on Monday night that in April she was crippled by constant crying, coupled with depression and anxiety, which had built up over the past six months.

“28.04.2022- almost jumped off my 26th floor balcony and took my own life,’’ she wrote on Instagram.

“Will never forget the day. Everything is blurry. Everything is dark.

“No tone, no picture, nothing makes sense.....just tears, sadness, depression, anxiety and pain.

“The last six months have been tough.”

Dokic, who confirmed in January that she and partner Tin Bikic had ended their 18-year relationship, went on to detail her deep trauma and fear, saying she hated herself and didn’t feel “worthy of loving”.

She wrote: “It’s been constant crying everywhere. From hiding in the bathroom when at work to wipe away my tears so that nobody sees it to the unstoppable crying at home within my four walls has been unbearable.

“Constant feelings of sadness and pain are just not going away and my life has been shattered.

I blame myself, I don’t think I am worthy of loving and I am scared.

“I also know that I still have so many things to be grateful for and then I start to hate myself because by feeling this way I feel like I am not grateful because I mustn’t be since I want to end it all.

“Such a vicious cycle in my head.

“The result: almost jumping off my 26th floor balcony on April 28th.

“Will never forget the day, I just wanted the pain and the suffering to stop.

“I pulled myself of the edge, don’t even know how I managed to do it.”

Jelena in recent years took up work as a commentator.

Dokic, who was part of Channel 9’s French Open coverage as a commentator, said getting professional help saved her life and she was on the road to recovery.

“This is not easy to write but I have always been open, honest and vulnerable with you all and I deeply believe in the power of sharing our stories to help us get through things and to help each other,’’ she wrote.

“I am writing this because I know I am not the only one struggling.

“Just know that you are not alone.”

She added: “I am not going to say that I am doing great now but I am definitely on the road to recovery.

“Some days are better than others and sometimes I take a step forward and then a step back but I’m fighting and I believe I can get through this.”

Jelena in action at the 2009 Australian Open.

Dokic said by speaking out about her experience she hopes to help others.

In January she detailed her profound heartbreak and hurt after splitting from her partner of 18 and a half years.

Dokic wrote: “I believe in the following: it’s ok to feel what I am feeling.

“It’s ok to feel sad just keep fighting and come back.

“That’s what I am trying to do and that’s what keeps me going.

“Don’t be ashamed of what you are feeling.

“It’s ok to feel this way and you can come back from it. It’s possible, just keep believing.

“Love you all and here is to fighting and surviving to live and see another day.

“I will be back stronger than ever.”