Content Warning: This article touches on the topic of eating disorders which may be triggering for some readers.
Former tennis star and commentator of Channel Nine’s Australian Open coverage in 2022 and 2023, Jelena Dokic has opened up about the horrific comments that have been repeatedly made about her online.
As part of the 40-year-old’s effort to fight back against the shame and stigma of dealing with mental health trauma, Jelena has published her second book, Fearless: Finding the Power to Thrive.
“Ultimately, I want Fearless to be a book of strength and hope … I do also go a lot deeper into mental health and eating disorders, body shaming and trolling as well,” Jelena recently told The New Daily.
“Things that we unfortunately face today. Social media is such a big part of our lives – and even kids’ lives early on – and [it’s] my fight against trolling, body shaming and body image as well,” she continued.
“I am at a stage where I was a victim, a survivor. Now, I really am in a place where I can help others and do all this good work to be able to change lives.”
For more context, Jelena was the subject of multiple body shaming comments online while she commentated for Channel Nine during the Australian Open both last year and this year.
“It was all about my body weight. I didn’t even get upset. I got really frustrated,” Jelena told The Weekly in December 2022.
“We should be looking at whether people are kind, gracious, compassionate, [and] what they try to do with it. I want to be known for inspiring someone, not what size I am and what my weight is.”
Jelena echoed these comments and explained why she delved into the topic further in Fearless: Finding the Power to Thrive when speaking to The New Daily to promote the new book.
“I kept receiving terrible comments and insults based on my body size.
“I wanted to fight this … I want that 14-year-old girl to see that she is worthy, and her work is not defined by what size she is … she can stand up for herself and have that courage … that is who I did it for, not even for myself,” Jelena said before adding:
“Sharing our stories literally changes lives … I feel so strongly and so passionately about that … that is what I stand for and I want that to be my legacy.”
Fearless: Finding the Power to Thrive is now available at Booktopia and Dymocks.
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit their website.
