Jelena Dokic unrecognisable in striking new selfie following recent weight loss

Weeks after sharing her personal journey with weight loss and body image, Aussie tennis great Jelena Dokic has debuted a striking new look.

Jelena Dokic has debuted a striking new look, revealing her recent dramatic weight loss.

The 41-year-old former tennis star has returned to the spotlight as part of Channel 9’s coverage covering the Billie Jean Cup — and a photo on set has sparked a wave of support for the former world No. 4.

“Back in the studio and back doing the tennis and tv with my @channel9 @wwos family,” Dokic announced to her 285,000 followers in the Instagram post published on Thursday.

“Nice little lead into the next 3 grand slams of the year with a @billiejeankingcup week.”

The post was met with a strong show of support from fans.

“You’re a dead set LEGEND Jelena,” one commenter wrote.

“Absolutely stunning!” another wrote.

Jelena Dokic is looking fantastic. Photo: Instagram

The tennis great has been extremely vocal about the troubles she has faced at times in her life, including mental health battles, weight issues and dealing with online bullies.

In an Instagram post published 11th March, Dokic spoke openly about her body image challenges following her recent weight loss journey.

“What is the difference between the two images?” Dokic wrote.

“Nothing except what you see on the outside, my BODY SIZE.

“I am the same hardworking person, respectful, generous, empathetic, compassionate, humble, kind, driven, strong, resilient, capable and loving person, woman and friend.

“What really matters is not different.

“So never judge anyone by their size or outside appearance but instead appreciate and focus on what is on the inside.

“Beauty has nothing to do with looks. It’s how you are as a person. It’s how you make others feel especially about themselves.

“No beauty shines brighter than that of a kind heart.

“So, let your eyes see souls and not bodies. And never body shame anyone.”

Another recent post. Picture: dokic_jelena/Instagram

The 41-year-old is now thriving as an author, expert tennis commentator and champion for mental health and body positivity.

Her documentary Unbreakable aired on Channel 9 on January 29, 2025 after it was released in cinemas in December 2024 and met with rave reviews.

Dokic’s breakthrough moment as a player came in 1999 when as a 16-year-old qualifier, she upset Martina Hingis in the first round at Wimbledon and made a run to the quarterfinals.

In 2000 she reached the Wimbledon semi-finals, her best result at a grand slam.

But Dokic is arguably more well known for her resilience against the abuse of her father Damir, which she has detailed in two best-selling books Unbreakable and Fearless.

While early in her career, it looked like Dokic could be a future grand slam champion and World No. 1, behind the scenes a dark story was playing out that would derail her charge.

Dokic has become one of Australia’s favourite tennis commentators. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

A young Jelena Dokic Picture: Supplied

In the documentary, Dokic recounts a horrific incident when she was knocked unconscious when her father Damir kicked her in the head following a loss.

“I remember he was so mad that he goes into the bathroom with me, locks the door, and he beat the crap out of me,” she said.

“He slammed my head against the wall multiple times. He was kicking me. My shins were so bruised, I couldn’t walk. He actually punches me in the head. And then I went unconscious for a little bit. He also stepped on my head as well.”

In the documentary, Todd Woodbridge describes Damir as an “intimidating” figure, while former tennis players and commentators reflected that more should have been done to call out his behaviour and protect Dokic.

Jelena Dokic and her father Damir. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Now estranged from Damir, Dokic recently spoke about the last conversation she had with her father and also shared her regret over changing allegiances from Australia to Yugoslavia during her tennis career, declaring: “I would take 100 years of abuse if I could take back not playing for Australia for a few years.”

She was booed off Rod Laver Arena at the 2001 Australian Open after losing to Lindsay Davenport, after announcing plans to turn her back on Australia and represent Yugoslavia.

“He took away from me, something that I loved so much,” Dokic told the Carrie & Tommy Show last year, referencing how he drove her to switch allegiances.

“He took that away from me in that moment. He’s sitting in a hotel room watching this while I’m getting booed by 15,000 people. I just wanted to kind of drop into the ground and disappear and never come back.”

Originally published as Jelena Dokic unrecognisable in striking new selfie following recent weight loss