Jelena Dokic starts to cry during emotional Ash Barty interview

Ash Barty’s journey means more to Jelena Dokic than most and that was clear for all to see during an emotional on-court interview.

Former tennis star turned commentator Jelena Dokic became emotional and teared up as she spoke to Ash Barty for her on-court interview after the Queenslander bulldozed her way into the second round of the Australian Open.

Barty demolished Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko 6-0 6-1 in just 54 minutes on Rod Laver Arena on Monday night as she showed the type of form that saw her win a lead-up event in Adelaide earlier this month.

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Like the rest of Australia, Dokic is a huge fan of Barty and found it hard to keep her emotions at bay as she spoke to the world No. 1 on Centre Court following her comprehensive victory.

“I want to first congratulate you on your Wimbledon win. I think I speak — not I think, I’m sure — I speak for everyone here, everyone in Australia, around the world, particularly myself — thank you,” Dokic said.

“You gave us so much joy watching that last year. You made us so proud. I get goosebumps right now. I just want to hug you but I can’t.

“There are no words to describe what you’ve done so thankyou for that.

“Now I’m going to lose all my questions.”

Humble as ever, Barty spoke passionately about her Indigenous heritage as a trio of young fans waved the Australian Aboriginal flag from the stands.

“I think I’m my most comfortable self when I’m out on the court … I’m a very, very proud Indigenous woman. I love my heritage, I love to celebrate my heritage,” she said.

“It’s what connects me to all of you here today. It’s what connects me to the land.”

The exchange melted hearts. Tennis writer Prajwal Hegde tweeted: “Jelena Dokic’s on-court interview of Ash Barty — Wimbledon, Indigenous heritage, expression — was outstanding. The world No. 1 is Australia’s and is much loved.”

Everyone’s a big Ash Barty fan.

It’s not the first time Dokic has welled up speaking about Barty. After the 25-year-old won Wimbledon last year, Dokic became emotional on live TV as she praised the role the Queenslander’s parents have played in raising her to become such an admirable role model.

“I just want to get this out before I fall apart. So give me 15 seconds,” Dokic told Nine in July.

“I want to give a shout out to her parents, obviously Josie and Rob, because people underestimate the importance of family. She talks about that all the time.

“And as someone who didn’t have that support, it is so important. This will set an example for parents in Australia and around the world, not just how to raise a champion but a genuinely wonderful human being.

“This is how you support them. You don’t pressure them, you’re there for them and this is why she is there, so big shout out to them, well done.”

Dokic’s voice briefly wavered during her monologue and it is obvious her own tragic past was behind her emotion.

The 38-year-old has repeatedly spoken out bravely about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her dad Damir. The former World No. 4 revealed she suffered physical abuse as a child and teenager almost every time her father was displeased with her performance on the tennis court.

In her 2017 biography Unbreakable, written with journalist Jessica Halloran, Dokic said the beatings were part of a systematic pattern of abuse from the man previously branded the “tennis dad from hell”.