Former tennis star Jelena Dokic reveals her plans to start a family – and says her children will have a very different upbringing than she did at the hands of her abusive father Damir
Former tennis winner Jelena Dokic has shared plans to start a family with her Serbian partner Tin Bikic.
Speaking to Health and Wellbeing, the 37-year-old confirmed that she and Tim have future marriages and children.
She also said her children will be raised differently as she was, apparently referring to her insulting father Damir.
Plans for the future: Former tennis winner Jelena Dokic has shared plans to start a family with her Serbian partner Tin Bikic
‘Marriage is on the list,’ she said. ‘And while we don’t expect to have children right now, it’s one of the things that really matters.’
She said: ‘I want to raise my children very differently from how I was brought up.’
In her Unbreakable biography, Dokic said her father Damir was constantly beating and flogging him from the age of six.
Despite battling depression and even contemplating suicide, Dokic tried to make up for it with her father.
‘Marriage is on the list’: Speaking to Health and Wellbeing, the 37-year-old confirmed that she and Tim have future marriages and children
But after years of turmoil, she has said she has given up trying and made peace with him because the relationship cannot be saved.
‘I’m fine with that, I’ve made my peace with that,’ she told Now to Love.
‘As I get older and get closer to having my own family, I realize you have to give up the bad things in your life. ‘
Dokic was once considered the No. 4 in the World and defeated tennis greats Venus Williams and Martina Hingis.
Flashback: She also said that her children will be raised in a different way as she was, apparently referring to her abusive father Damir. Jelena pictured with parents Damir and Liliana
However, near the end of her career, she was seriously injured and underwent surgery in 2012.
Two years later, Dokic was forced to retire but maintained close contact with the sport through coaching and reporting.
It was only when she released her autobiography years down the road that the world learned the hard truth behind her star-studded career.
The legend of tennis said it was the worst blow she ever received at the hands of her father after her early loss at the 2000 du Maurier Open in Canada.
Sad Times: In her autobiographical Unbreakable, Dokic said her father Damir was constantly hitting and slashing from the age of six.
“It was a terrible memory that stayed with me forever… I ended up mourning,” she said.
She said she was whipped with a leather belt if she had a bad training session and her boys were kicked with heavy dress shoes, often leaving her bruised and bloody.
During Dokic’s career, her father Damir often drew negative attention.
As a result of his performances at a series of major events he was banned from the women’s tour for half a year in 2000.
Backlash: During Dokic’s career, her father Damir would often draw negative attention
He broke a reporter’s phone at Wimbledon and fought with a camera team at the Australian Open.
Under the constant scrutiny of the media, Damir made the decision to pack his bags and bring Dokic back to Serbia.
She returned to the tennis court as a citizen of Serbia and the reception at the 2001 Australian Open was frozen with spectators boasting a former Australian representative.
Her father now lives in Croatia and makes brandy. Dokic said she always hoped her father would change as a man but admits he never apologized.
‘You can’t choose your parents and family and that’s fine,’ she said.
Standing still: Dokic has maintained a close connection to the sport through coaching and reporting