Former tennis star Jelena Dokic drops huge baby news

Tennis star Jelena Dokic, who survived horrific abuse at her father’s hands, has spoken about her own plans to start a family.

Jelena Dokic has talked excitedly about the prospect of becoming a mother and her desire to adopt.

Dokic, who turned 42 last month, is a beloved figure in Australian sport.

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The former world No. 4 tennis player survived physical and emotional abuse from her father Damir, along with cowardly online trolling over her appearance, to forge a successful career as a commentator and author.

This week on the latest episode of the Mental As Anyone podcast, Dokic spoke about her love of children and the possibility of exploring adoption.

Jelena Dokic has spoken about her desire to become a mum. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Dokic interviewing – and dancing with – Aryna Sabalenka at this year’s Australian Open. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Dokic and former partner Tin Bikic were together for almost 19 years before splitting up in early 2022.

“I think I would be a good mum to be honest, I love kids,” Dokic said. “I’m 42 now, I don’t think that that’s going to happen for me.

“I was in a relationship for almost 19 years from the age of 20 and right when we split up, we were about to start trying for a family.

“Maybe one day. One day will I adopt? Possibly. It’s something I would love to do because I love kids.”

Dokic broke onto the tennis scene at just 16 years of age back in 1999 as a little known qualifier at Wimbledon, where she upset world No. 1 Martina Hingis before reaching the quarter-finals.

The following year, she reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon – her best grand slam result – but hidden behind the scenes was a dark story that would eventually derail her career.

At the height of Dokic’s tennis career, Damir made her turn her back on Australia and switch allegiances to Yugoslavia, which saw her booed at the Australian Open by Aussie fans.

Her promising career deteriorated, with her father largely to blame, and it was only in recent years Dokic was able to reveal the true depths of her abuse.

Dokic and Tin Bikic broke up in early 2022.

A young Dokic on the tennis court.

Discussing the prospect of motherhood, Dokic spoke bravely about concerns she could replicate some of her upbringing with a child of her own.

But the six-time WTA tournament winner had an emphatic response for that possibility.

“Did I at one stage maybe think, I didn’t have the best experience, and I know a lot of people with parents and having that childhood and what would that mean for me?” she said.

“Because I know a lot people that have been through family violence or abuse, domestic violence, however you want to frame it, they are worried about that, whether they would be the same.

“But for me, 100 per cent certainty, I can say 100 per cent, I know I wouldn’t be (like my father).

“I love kids and I know even if I was a single mum to be honest and I adopted one day, it would have all the love in the world.

“I would love it to have a father as well, but I know I can give it absolutely everything and (it) would have all the love and support and I would be completely different.

“That would never, I could never, I could never be (like) that, ever.

“I always said I want to have kids, but I want to adopt. So that’s a big wish of mine and passion and I hope to do it one day.”

Originally published as Former tennis star Jelena Dokic drops huge baby news