Former world number four tennis player Jelena Dokic has written two best-selling books, travels the world as a guest speaker, and right now, is a vital member of the Nine commentary team covering the Australian Open.

In her memoir Unbreakable, the 41-year-old shared gruelling details of her upbringing, from a life of poverty in the former Yugoslavia to arriving in Sydney as an 11-year-old refugee who spoke no English, to her escape from an abusive father.

It has taken Dokic decades to reconcile with her tumultuous past, which spurred eating disorders that she has discussed openly.

These days, she’s all about living life without guilt. Italian and Croatian cuisines are still her favourites – she gets her Balkan fix at Chevapi Grill in South Melbourne.

“I am a foodie and am lucky to have travelled the world and experienced lots of cuisines,” says Dokic.

“I have also been open about my eating disorder and learned so much about myself,” she says. “It’s about health and wellbeing first. I am all about having a balanced diet. You can’t be happy if you just eat acai bowls all day,” she laughs.

During the AO, Dokic fuels herself with sushi, salads and acai bowls, but occasionally she heads to Arbory Afloat or Yarra Botanica for knock-off drinks with fellow commentator and friend Todd Woodbridge.

EATING IN

Signature dish at home

Pork medallions with gnocchi and gorgonzola sauce. It doesn’t take too long to whip together; this is comfort food for me.

Guilty pleasure

I have a sweet tooth – it’s chocolate souffle and cake. I also don’t mind a good tiramisu.

Kitchen wisdom I cling to

I try to eat a Mediterranean diet. Extra virgin olive oil is my go-to — whether it’s for cooking or to use in salads. Using healthy oils stems from my Eastern European background, because it was always about olive oil.

Childhood favourites

I grew up on a different cuisine until I came to Australia. We would eat a lot of sarma – it’s like mince beef and rice wrapped in cabbage leaves and served with sauce. I am a massive fan of anything meat and potatoes, and mashed potato is still a favourite. Cevapi is a big deal in Eastern Europe, as is borek, a buttery filo pastry filled with meats, cheese or potatoes.

EATING OUT

Favourite home-town restaurant

In Melbourne, it’s Pepe’s Italian & Liquor. My friends took me here for my birthday this year. I love that there’s an indoor and outdoor dining area. My favourite meal is a spicy vodka rigatoni – The only thing is I don’t like it too spicy, so they adjust it. They make beautiful mocktails, as I am not really a drinker. The tiramisu is great here, too.

I like to go to 400 Gradi for pizza – it’s always a margherita, but I like to add rocket and prosciutto to it.

I am a massive burger lover. Five Guys burgers are my weakness. I live a few hundred metres from it in Southbank. They use local ingredients, the meat is juicy, you can build your own burger. They make the best potato fries and the milkshakes are great, too.

Favourite bar

The Beverly rooftop in South Yarra is a favourite spot. It has views of the city, and the interior design is beautiful. They have a great snack menu – from sliders to creme brulee, and the tiramisu is also very good. I like to order a Baileys and I occasionally indulge in a small margarita.

I also love the drinks at Gimlet. They make the best mandarin and lime margarita.

Favourite cafes

For breakfast and brunch, it’s always Top Paddock in Richmond. Having outside and inside dining areas appeals to me. I always order eggs and bacon on sourdough bread, and they make a great eggs benedict.

Moby in Armadale is a two-storey spot I love to eat at, too. They change
the menu very regularly – the pancakes and waffles are my go-tos.

Uber Eats go-to

Green Cup acai bowls in Richmond. They’re the best in Melbourne. They also make amazing grilled pesto, cheese and tomato sandwiches.

Favourite food memories in Australia

Rockpool in Perth is beautiful. I was recently there and dined as the sun was setting. The view is fabulous. I ordered a veal steak and the potatoes were excellent.

Totti’s in Sydney is another favourite spot – especially for the burrata and focaccia. I also love antipasti; all of the Italian meat cuts. The mortadella is exceptional here.

Black Star Pastry in Sydney is another fab spot. The strawberry and watermelon cake is divine. They change their cakes with the season – I’m ready to try the new meringue roulade with passionfruit and mango. They also make iced
watermelon tea, and lychee and rosewater iced tea in summer.

Favourite food city

I travel to Croatia once a year to visit my brother and I look forward to that. The food is great – you’ll find a lot of fish, meat and sweets you wouldn’t get in other parts of the world.

The cuisine in the capital Zagreb is excellent. There are so many restaurants to choose from, but I can recommend Baltazar, which serves Croatian specialities.

La Struk is a specialty store that only serves strukli [dough with various fillings]. People wait in lines to try it. It’s a small pastry shop with lots of history. It’s all handmade – your pastries can be filled with apple or cheese.

Burek Dolac is another institution. It might look like a hole-in-the-wall spot, but it’s special. They have been making burek since 1967. It’s the best in town. You eat it with yoghurt. If you’re in the centre of the city, find a spot outside – it’s right next to the fruit and food market and the best burek I have ever had.

I also visit Dubrovnik on the coast – the food is very different. Some parts are more Italian, and there is a lot of fish on the menu.

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