Australian tennis star Jelena Dokic has shared images of the domestic abuse she suffered at the hands of father after losing a match.
The former junior No.1 exploded onto the senior tennis scene by beating Martina Hingis on her way to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 1999 at the tender age of 16. After being tipped to be the next big star, the Australian had a career-high of world No.4 and won six WTA titles, but never got the Grand Slam success she desired.
She eventually retired in 2014, having struggled for form and fitness and is now a tennis coach and commentator.
After ending her tennis career, Dokic published her autobiography titled 'Unbreakable'. In the publication, she alleged she was subjected to years of physical and mental abuse by her father and has now released two images showing the domestic abuse she suffered.
"Swollen, bruised and bleeding shins from being beaten and kicked all night with sharp shoes right into my shins for losing a match," she posted on Instagram. "These images were taken more than 2 weeks later and I was still heavily bruised. I was 17 years old.
"To this day I still have sensitive and bumpy shins from this beating. From every wound there is a scar and these are mine. I have survived but not everyone woman and girl has or will. And that’s the sad reality."
Dokic released the images after speaking at a Domestic and Family Violence event. The tennis star said that she felt 'sad and angry' for the women who are going through 'a lot worse' than she did.
She added: "Let’s do more for the future generations. For our daughters, sisters and all the girls and women around the world to make this a better and safer place for them to be happy, healthy and free of violence.
"I will never stop fighting and speaking up about this issue especially for those that can’t and don’t have a voice."
Dokic previously spoke about another incident when she was 'kicked unconscious' before the US Open when she was just 16. The Australian star has also revealed she almost took her own life during a turbulent period which involved a heart-breaking split from her partner of 18 years.
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk.
