Jelena Dokic launches foundation to raise awareness about domestic violence

AUSSIE tennis darling Jelena Dokic hopes her courageous move to detail the horrors she suffered at the hands of her father can help other tennis players who are facing similar abuse.

UPDATE: NEVER did I think my story of survival would move people like it has.

The public outpouring of support has blown me away.

Within tennis people like Darren Cahill, Roger Rasheed and former player Todd Woodbridge have shown incredible support.

As I have toured the country telling my story at book events I have met many survivors of abuse. I have hugged them after they have told me their account of surviving. They say that my honesty around my experience has encouraged them to stay strong.

The reaction to her tell-all book as been overwhelming for Dokic. Picture: Jason Edwards

It’s moments like these that make it worth going through the difficult and draining process of writing my traumatic story down.

I never thought telling my story would get this much attention and affect people as much as it has in a positive way.

I want to use my experience to help people in tennis and away from tennis.

It’s inspired me to do all I can to help those who have suffered like me. There is so much more to do stop my situation from ever happening again in sport or in life.

It gives me a great boost when I find out players on tour are reading my book. One player said to me yesterday; ‘I hear it is a tough read…I will read it after the tournament.’

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At the Australian Open during her playing days.

It is important people don’t look the other way.

I know people might feel uncomfortable and don’t know what to say to me, that’s ok, I absolutely understand and respect that. But from my perspective, as someone who is a survivor, the best thing you can do is go and talk to people you think maybe suffering or have suffered. Offer them a kind word. It’s as simple as saying; ‘I am sorry what you went through’ or ‘I never knew but if you ever want to talk…’

By not wanting to talk about abuse, or facing it, it makes it worse for us survivors and those who are still victims of abuse. It’s the reason why some people don’t speak up and out. It may make some feel ashamed. I am the first tennis player to detail and write a book on the abuse I suffered – but I know there are others who have endured abuse.

With Todd Woodbridge in 2014.

I know my story makes some people feel uncomfortable. I know to read or even know about the vile emotional, verbal and physical abuse I went through can be difficult to process.

Family violence is a huge issue in society and because of this I am set to launch a new foundation to raise awareness around the issue and help women and children who may be suffering. I don’t want anyone to ever to go through what I went through.

Damir Dokic in 2000. Pic: Peter Ward.

We need to educate people on how to help individuals who are stuck in or have survived a violent situation. More can be done.

The tour is a brutal environment. It’s a tough individual sport. We are very competitive, especially the women, and because of this you can be left feeling very lonely at times. Some of my darkest times on tour came when I had left my father, the family home, and not a soul reached out to me to see if I was ok.

Unbreakable is on sale now.

When I was on tour I had a handful of good relationships but often I was left disappointed when trying to form friendships. There’s a lot of money in this sport and everyone wants to win. It’s the nature of this individual sport. It’s not an environment that encourages openness or vulnerability.

But in tennis, as in general life, we should be doing more to check in on each other and support one another.

Originally published as Jelena Dokic launches foundation to raise awareness about domestic violence