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Former Australian tennis star Jelena Dokic has revealed her father Damir died on May 16, 2025. The former World No. 4 turned commentator has long detailed the abuse she suffered at her father’s hands throughout her tennis career.
1/45Former Australian tennis star Jelena Dokic has revealed her father Damir died on May 16, 2025. The former World No. 4 turned commentator has long detailed the abuse she suffered at her father’s hands throughout her tennis career.
Dokic took to Instagram on Wednesday to share the news with a picture of her father and herself as a child. “My father passed away in the late hours on 16.05.2025,” she wrote. “As you know my relationship with my father has been difficult and painful with a lot of history. Despite everything and no matter how hard, difficult and in the last 10 years even non-existent our relationship and communication was, it is never easy losing a parent and a father even one you are estranged from. The loss of an estranged parent comes with a difficult and complicated grief. It’s an end of a chapter and life as I know it.” Photo: Instagram
2/45Dokic took to Instagram on Wednesday to share the news with a picture of her father and herself as a child. “My father passed away in the late hours on 16.05.2025,” she wrote. “As you know my relationship with my father has been difficult and painful with a lot of history. Despite everything and no matter how hard, difficult and in the last 10 years even non-existent our relationship and communication was, it is never easy losing a parent and a father even one you are estranged from. The loss of an estranged parent comes with a difficult and complicated grief. It’s an end of a chapter and life as I know it.” Photo: Instagram
Jelena Dokic, pictured winning the award for Feature Documentary Production of the Year at the 23rd Annual Screen Producer Awards for her film Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story, has long been outspoken on the abuse she suffered during her career at the hands of her father, and the scars it has left throughout her life. Photo: Instagram
3/45Jelena Dokic, pictured winning the award for Feature Documentary Production of the Year at the 23rd Annual Screen Producer Awards for her film Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story, has long been outspoken on the abuse she suffered during her career at the hands of her father, and the scars it has left throughout her life. Photo: Instagram
In a photo from her best-selling book Unbreakable, Jelena Dokic is pictured with her father Damir and mother Liliana in March 1984. Born on April 12 1983 in Osijek, Croatia, the family lived in Osijek until 1991, when the instability caused by the break up of Yugoslavia saw them move to Serbia for a short time before landing in Australia in 1994 when Jelena was 11. Photo: Unbreakable
4/45In a photo from her best-selling book Unbreakable, Jelena Dokic is pictured with her father Damir and mother Liliana in March 1984. Born on April 12 1983 in Osijek, Croatia, the family lived in Osijek until 1991, when the instability caused by the break up of Yugoslavia saw them move to Serbia for a short time before landing in Australia in 1994 when Jelena was 11. Photo: Unbreakable
Jelena Dokic with her father Damir and her brother Savo, who is eight years her senior. Photo: Unbreakable
5/45Jelena Dokic with her father Damir and her brother Savo, who is eight years her senior. Photo: Unbreakable
From the get-go, Dokic’s (pictured here at the age of 12) story captured the attention of Aussies as her prodigious talent was evident as she quickly rose through the ranks.
6/45From the get-go, Dokic’s (pictured here at the age of 12) story captured the attention of Aussies as her prodigious talent was evident as she quickly rose through the ranks.
By the age of 15, Dokic was already a champion player, winning the 1998 US Open Girls title and the French Open doubles title with fellow future World No. 1 and grand slam winner Kim Clijsters. She ended the year ranked as the world’s No. 1 girls singles player and No. 7 in doubles.
7/45By the age of 15, Dokic was already a champion player, winning the 1998 US Open Girls title and the French Open doubles title with fellow future World No. 1 and grand slam winner Kim Clijsters. She ended the year ranked as the world’s No. 1 girls singles player and No. 7 in doubles.
However, even as a teenage champion and throughout her career, her father was an imposing presence, reportedly being physically violent and abusive towards her, as well as taking her winnings and beating her frequently. It was sadly an open secret in the sport that very little was done about. Photo: Phil Hillyard
8/45However, even as a teenage champion and throughout her career, her father was an imposing presence, reportedly being physically violent and abusive towards her, as well as taking her winnings and beating her frequently. It was sadly an open secret in the sport that very little was done about. Photo: Phil Hillyard
It was the start of Dokic’s career with the youngster turning professional and winning Australia’s first Hopman Cup alongside Mark Philippoussis to kick off the 1999 season. She also earned a wildcard to the Australian Open.
9/45It was the start of Dokic’s career with the youngster turning professional and winning Australia’s first Hopman Cup alongside Mark Philippoussis to kick off the 1999 season. She also earned a wildcard to the Australian Open.
Dokic started her grand slam career promisingly though, winning to the third round before she was bounced out in the third round 6-1 6-2 by world No. 1 Martina Hingis, who went on to win the title, dropping just one set for the entire tournament.
10/45Dokic started her grand slam career promisingly though, winning to the third round before she was bounced out in the third round 6-1 6-2 by world No. 1 Martina Hingis, who went on to win the title, dropping just one set for the entire tournament.
However, later in 1999, Dokic would get her revenge, defeating Hingis 6-2 6-0 at Wimbledon, becoming the lowest ranked player (she was 129 in the world) to defeat a top seed at a grand slam in the Open era. She also defeated 9th seed Mary Pierce in the fourth round before she was defeated by American qualifier Alexandra Stevenson in the quarterfinals. She ultimately finished the year ranked No. 43. Photo: David White
11/45However, later in 1999, Dokic would get her revenge, defeating Hingis 6-2 6-0 at Wimbledon, becoming the lowest ranked player (she was 129 in the world) to defeat a top seed at a grand slam in the Open era. She also defeated 9th seed Mary Pierce in the fourth round before she was defeated by American qualifier Alexandra Stevenson in the quarterfinals. She ultimately finished the year ranked No. 43. Photo: David White
And a constant presence was her father and coach Damir. Photo: David White
12/45And a constant presence was her father and coach Damir. Photo: David White
2000 was another big year for Dokic, despite being knocked out of the first round of the Australian Open. Dokic made it all the way to the Wimbledon semi-final, before she was beaten by defending champion and 2nd seed Lindsay Davenport, who went on to lose the final to her American countrywoman Venus Williams.
13/452000 was another big year for Dokic, despite being knocked out of the first round of the Australian Open. Dokic made it all the way to the Wimbledon semi-final, before she was beaten by defending champion and 2nd seed Lindsay Davenport, who went on to lose the final to her American countrywoman Venus Williams.
She also competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics under the Australian flag, ultimately just falling short of a bronze medal, losing the third-placed showdown against US superstar Monica Seles.
14/45She also competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics under the Australian flag, ultimately just falling short of a bronze medal, losing the third-placed showdown against US superstar Monica Seles.
But the signs that not all was okay in the Dokic camp began to emerge as well. Damir was kicked out of the US Open after he threw a plate of fish at a cafeteria worker and was violently ejected by security. It was his fourth tantrum in just over a year. Sources told the New York Post Damir had “smelled of booze” and ranted for 15 minutes, seemingly unhappy with the size of the portion of the $10 piece of salmon he had ordered. Photo: Channel 9
15/45But the signs that not all was okay in the Dokic camp began to emerge as well. Damir was kicked out of the US Open after he threw a plate of fish at a cafeteria worker and was violently ejected by security. It was his fourth tantrum in just over a year. Sources told the New York Post Damir had “smelled of booze” and ranted for 15 minutes, seemingly unhappy with the size of the portion of the $10 piece of salmon he had ordered. Photo: Channel 9
Damir was thrown out of the venue with the tournament’s security boss telling him: “You come back and you’re under arrest.” Dokic shouted at onlookers and media: “He fight me. He grabbed me.” Damir also reportedly said: “This is the f**king biggest crime in the world.” Photo: Channel 9
16/45Damir was thrown out of the venue with the tournament’s security boss telling him: “You come back and you’re under arrest.” Dokic shouted at onlookers and media: “He fight me. He grabbed me.” Damir also reportedly said: “This is the f**king biggest crime in the world.” Photo: Channel 9
Jelena reportedly left with Damir in tears over the situation. But Damir had also acted out at every grand slam event but the French Open, having scuffled with a cameraman at the Australian Open, shouting abuse at an official at a Wimbledon warm up match before sitting in the middle of the road and forcing police to arrest him, as well as the US Open issue. At the time, Jelena defended her father: “I like having him around,” she was quoted as saying.
17/45Jelena reportedly left with Damir in tears over the situation. But Damir had also acted out at every grand slam event but the French Open, having scuffled with a cameraman at the Australian Open, shouting abuse at an official at a Wimbledon warm up match before sitting in the middle of the road and forcing police to arrest him, as well as the US Open issue. At the time, Jelena defended her father: “I like having him around,” she was quoted as saying.
The incidents brought unwanted attention on the family but it was just the tip of the iceberg for what was happening away from the cameras.
18/45The incidents brought unwanted attention on the family but it was just the tip of the iceberg for what was happening away from the cameras.
Clearly unhappy with the media scrutiny his poor public behaviour exposed, Damir began to impose his will more publicly. Before the 2001 Australian Open, Jelena switched her allegiances from Australia to Yugoslavia.
19/45Clearly unhappy with the media scrutiny his poor public behaviour exposed, Damir began to impose his will more publicly. Before the 2001 Australian Open, Jelena switched her allegiances from Australia to Yugoslavia.
Dokic was again knocked out in the first round of the tournament in three sets, this time by Lindsay Davenport, but Aussie fans booed the star off Rod Laver Arena after the plans to turn her back on Australia.
20/45Dokic was again knocked out in the first round of the tournament in three sets, this time by Lindsay Davenport, but Aussie fans booed the star off Rod Laver Arena after the plans to turn her back on Australia.
In recent years, Dokic has revealed the decision to change her allegiances came from her father and was something she regretted. “I would take 100 years of abuse if I could take back not playing for Australia for a few years,” an emotional Dokic told the Carrie & Tommy Show last year. “He took away from me, something that I loved so much. 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. I would take any abuse, anything in this world to not even just go through that personally, but that it didn’t take my people, Australians and my fans and everyone that always cheered for me, that it didn’t take 10 or 15 years until my book came out for them to know the truth and just how much I really love Australia.” Photo: David Crosling
21/45In recent years, Dokic has revealed the decision to change her allegiances came from her father and was something she regretted. “I would take 100 years of abuse if I could take back not playing for Australia for a few years,” an emotional Dokic told the Carrie & Tommy Show last year. “He took away from me, something that I loved so much. 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. I would take any abuse, anything in this world to not even just go through that personally, but that it didn’t take my people, Australians and my fans and everyone that always cheered for me, that it didn’t take 10 or 15 years until my book came out for them to know the truth and just how much I really love Australia.” Photo: David Crosling
Damir, whose bad behaviour had already seen him banned from attending her matches, said at the time that the family would leave Australia because he believed Jelena had been unfairly treated by the Australian media. Damir told the Sun-Herald after Jelena was drawn again Davenport: “I think the draw is fixed just for her. She feels betrayed … now she will always play for Yugoslavia. After this draw we don’t have anything left here.”
22/45Damir, whose bad behaviour had already seen him banned from attending her matches, said at the time that the family would leave Australia because he believed Jelena had been unfairly treated by the Australian media. Damir told the Sun-Herald after Jelena was drawn again Davenport: “I think the draw is fixed just for her. She feels betrayed … now she will always play for Yugoslavia. After this draw we don’t have anything left here.”
Although her career kept hitting new heights having made five finals, including winning two and finishing world No. 8 — Dokic pictured here with the Italian Open title after defeating Amelie Mauresmo — off court it was a different story.
23/45Although her career kept hitting new heights having made five finals, including winning two and finishing world No. 8 — Dokic pictured here with the Italian Open title after defeating Amelie Mauresmo — off court it was a different story.
Speaking on the Mental as Anyone podcast recently, Dokic revealed she was scared for her life as the beatings from her father had gotten so frequent and savage. “I was kicked and punched in the head so hard that it left me unconscious and navigating through that at home, but at the same time, putting on — let’s say a brave face — and being able to go out there on the court and perform,” Dokic said. “I did leave home at the age of 19, escaped during a tennis tournament because the beatings were getting so violent and I didn’t know if I was going to survive the next one.”
24/45Speaking on the Mental as Anyone podcast recently, Dokic revealed she was scared for her life as the beatings from her father had gotten so frequent and savage. “I was kicked and punched in the head so hard that it left me unconscious and navigating through that at home, but at the same time, putting on — let’s say a brave face — and being able to go out there on the court and perform,” Dokic said. “I did leave home at the age of 19, escaped during a tennis tournament because the beatings were getting so violent and I didn’t know if I was going to survive the next one.”
In 2023, Dokic shared physical injuries she played with, revealing she suffered regular beatings with a belt or a hard-capped boot, including one incident which saw her knocked unconscious. Photo: Instagram
25/45In 2023, Dokic shared physical injuries she played with, revealing she suffered regular beatings with a belt or a hard-capped boot, including one incident which saw her knocked unconscious. Photo: Instagram
In 2002, Dokic rose to what would be her career high singles ranking of world No. 4, as well as doubles ranking in No. 10. Photo: AP Photo/Francois Mori
26/45In 2002, Dokic rose to what would be her career high singles ranking of world No. 4, as well as doubles ranking in No. 10. Photo: AP Photo/Francois Mori
By 2003, Jelena had booted Damir out of her inner circle, accusing him of “wrecking her career” with his volatile behaviour at tournaments.
27/45By 2003, Jelena had booted Damir out of her inner circle, accusing him of “wrecking her career” with his volatile behaviour at tournaments.
Jelena was reportedly estranged from her family at this stage after she began dating Brazilian racing driver Enrique Bernoldi, pictured watching Jelena at the German Open in 2003. He had reportedly helped her flee her family home in 2002 with just a tennis racket and a bag, but no money or credit cards. Photo: AP Photo/Franka Bruns
28/45Jelena was reportedly estranged from her family at this stage after she began dating Brazilian racing driver Enrique Bernoldi, pictured watching Jelena at the German Open in 2003. He had reportedly helped her flee her family home in 2002 with just a tennis racket and a bag, but no money or credit cards. Photo: AP Photo/Franka Bruns
Jelena Dokic then replaced her father with coach Borna Bikic, with the pair having an “on-again, off-again” professional relationship.
29/45Jelena Dokic then replaced her father with coach Borna Bikic, with the pair having an “on-again, off-again” professional relationship.
In 2004, Dokic reportedly tried to reconcile with her family but by 2005 had to walk away from the sport as her ranking plummeted into the 300s. But at the end of 2005, Dokic declared that she wanted to return as an Australian. “I am an Australian, I feel like an Australian and I want to play for Australia again,” she said at the time. She had to reapply for Australian citizenship.
31/45In 2004, Dokic reportedly tried to reconcile with her family but by 2005 had to walk away from the sport as her ranking plummeted into the 300s. But at the end of 2005, Dokic declared that she wanted to return as an Australian. “I am an Australian, I feel like an Australian and I want to play for Australia again,” she said at the time. She had to reapply for Australian citizenship.
Speaking to The Times at the time, Dokic said: “What happened before I had no control over, the decisions weren’t made by me. This is a decision I am making. I wanted to go back before, but I was a little afraid of what reception I’d receive. Everyone will have their opinion and I cannot know how much will be positive or negative, but I owe a lot to so many people in Australia. It is where I belong.”
32/45Speaking to The Times at the time, Dokic said: “What happened before I had no control over, the decisions weren’t made by me. This is a decision I am making. I wanted to go back before, but I was a little afraid of what reception I’d receive. Everyone will have their opinion and I cannot know how much will be positive or negative, but I owe a lot to so many people in Australia. It is where I belong.”
Dokic had to fight her way back into grand slam calculations, qualifying but being eliminated in the first round of the 2006 Australian Open. It was a tough part for Dokic to get back into regular grand slams, having just two qualifying attempts between the remainder of 2006 and the end of 2008 as she batted on the ITF circuit. Photo: Michael Klein
33/45Dokic had to fight her way back into grand slam calculations, qualifying but being eliminated in the first round of the 2006 Australian Open. It was a tough part for Dokic to get back into regular grand slams, having just two qualifying attempts between the remainder of 2006 and the end of 2008 as she batted on the ITF circuit. Photo: Michael Klein
2009 was a huge year for Dokic who qualified for the Australian Open, going on what was her best run at the tournament, making the quarterfinals, defeating world No. 17 Anna Chakvetadze, world No. 11 Carline Wozniacki and world No. 29 Alisa Klaybanova in a giant-killing run before being defeated by eventual finalist and 3rd seed Dinara Safina.
34/452009 was a huge year for Dokic who qualified for the Australian Open, going on what was her best run at the tournament, making the quarterfinals, defeating world No. 17 Anna Chakvetadze, world No. 11 Carline Wozniacki and world No. 29 Alisa Klaybanova in a giant-killing run before being defeated by eventual finalist and 3rd seed Dinara Safina.
It was an emotional comeback from the returned Aussie, whose performance got her back in the top 100, but she also admitted she didn’t have a relationship with her father.
35/45It was an emotional comeback from the returned Aussie, whose performance got her back in the top 100, but she also admitted she didn’t have a relationship with her father.
Dokic also returned to Australia’s Fed Cup team for the first time since defecting to Yugoslavia in 2009.
36/45Dokic also returned to Australia’s Fed Cup team for the first time since defecting to Yugoslavia in 2009.
Despite having been out of the public eye for many years, Damir re-emerged in 2009 after he was arrested for threatening Australia's ambassador to Serbia with a hand grenade and for illegal possession of weapons. He was sentenced to 15 moths in prison.
37/45Despite having been out of the public eye for many years, Damir re-emerged in 2009 after he was arrested for threatening Australia's ambassador to Serbia with a hand grenade and for illegal possession of weapons. He was sentenced to 15 moths in prison.
He appealed the sentence but it was upheld in September 2009, but ultimately reduced to 12 months and he was released in April 2010. Photo: AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic
38/45He appealed the sentence but it was upheld in September 2009, but ultimately reduced to 12 months and he was released in April 2010. Photo: AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic
Although Dokic could never return to the heights of her early career, she did win one more title — her only one as an Australian — at the Malaysia Open in March 2011. Photo: AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin
39/45Although Dokic could never return to the heights of her early career, she did win one more title — her only one as an Australian — at the Malaysia Open in March 2011. Photo: AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin
Dokic tried to comeback again in 2014 but ultimately finished her on-court career.
40/45Dokic tried to comeback again in 2014 but ultimately finished her on-court career.
After keeping a low profile for a few years, having picked up a few gigs including coaching Daria Gavrilova and taking her first steps into media, Dokic’s autobiography Unbreakable, released in 2017, uncovered the story of her life and extent of physical and mental abuse she had suffered at the hands of her father. She has since released another bestseller in Fearless: Finding the Power to Thrive and a documentary based on her life called Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story.
41/45After keeping a low profile for a few years, having picked up a few gigs including coaching Daria Gavrilova and taking her first steps into media, Dokic’s autobiography Unbreakable, released in 2017, uncovered the story of her life and extent of physical and mental abuse she had suffered at the hands of her father. She has since released another bestseller in Fearless: Finding the Power to Thrive and a documentary based on her life called Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story.
Dokic also stepped behind the microphone, working for Fox Sports at the 2017 Australian Open before becoming one of the most beloved commentators on the Channel 9 tennis coverage.
42/45Dokic also stepped behind the microphone, working for Fox Sports at the 2017 Australian Open before becoming one of the most beloved commentators on the Channel 9 tennis coverage.
Dokic’s on court interviews regularly go viral and she’s renowned for her positive interviews and lighthearted moments on the court, while also being able to offer in-depth insight. Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP
43/45Dokic’s on court interviews regularly go viral and she’s renowned for her positive interviews and lighthearted moments on the court, while also being able to offer in-depth insight. Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP
But the beloved commentator and advocate is still going strong, lending her platform to those who need it. Speaking on the Mental as Anyone Podcast, Dokic said: “I want people to look at me not as a victim, I’m a survivor, but most importantly, thriver, a success story. I want people to go, ‘you know, she did it, I can do it too’.”. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
45/45But the beloved commentator and advocate is still going strong, lending her platform to those who need it. Speaking on the Mental as Anyone Podcast, Dokic said: “I want people to look at me not as a victim, I’m a survivor, but most importantly, thriver, a success story. I want people to go, ‘you know, she did it, I can do it too’.”. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/tennis/dads-death-ends-disturbing-chapter-for-dokic/image-gallery/4ed59ce5de6ea577104ab4bcfaf7391f