Australian Open pundit Jelena Dokic has issued a strong riposte to body shaming trolls.
The former tennis player, who has been conducting post-match interviews on court at Melbourne Park, described the level of 'body shaming’ and ‘fat shaming’ over the last 24 hours” as “insane” and took to Instagram to share a selection of vile comments aimed at her.
One user wrote: “I really don’t think it’s fair that a whale like Jelena Dokic takes my joy of watching tennis", while another cruel message read: “Omg! You need to cut back on the candy bars!”
The shocking abuse also led to social media users calling on Australian Open officials to "just get rid of her". Another added: “Just saw Jelena Dokic doing an interview at the Australian Open. What happened to you?"
Dokic, retired in 2014 after several career highs — including the 1999 Wimbledon quarterfinals at just 16 years old, before making it to the last four at the All-England Club one year later.
The 39-year-old has been open in the past about how mental health struggles nearly led her to taking her own life. She published her autobiography Unbreakable in which she discussed her life and the years of physical and mental abuse by her father. The book was released on 13 November 2017 and topped the Australian book charts within the first day of release.
After reading just one of some of the sickening posts about her, Dokic hit back: “THE ‘BODY SHAMING’ AND ‘FAT SHAMING’ OVER THE LAST 24 HOURS HAS BEEN INSANE.” She added: “I will tell you what happened, I am finding a way and surviving and fighting. And it really doesn’t matter what I am doing and what happened because size shouldn’t matter.
“What matters is your online abuse, bullying and fat shaming. That’s what matters because those of you that do it are just evil, bad, mean and ignorant people.” Dokic also stated that 'so much' of the hate was coming from people in Serbia — the home nation of her father — as well as women.
“Weight will change but evil people will remain evil. I am here, fighting for all those out there being abused, fat shamed," she continued. "I can’t change the world but I am going to continue speaking up, calling this behaviour out, using my platform for something good and to support other people out there and to give others a voice and try to make others feel less alone and scared.”
The Croat ended the post by vowing to support all those who have been victims of body shaming and refused to let the trolls bring her down. “I am here, fighting for all those out there being abused, fat shamed. I can’t change the world but I am going to continue speaking up," Dokic added.
“By calling this behaviour out and using my platform for something good and to support other people out there and to give others a voice and try to make others feel less alone and scared.
“I will also be kind and the bigger person unlike you trolls and not reveal your identity. Love you all, even the trolls because you give me so much motivation and inspiration to do what I do and to fight against people like you.”
