Content Warning: This article touches on the topic of eating disorders which may be triggering for some readers.
Former Australian tennis champion and commentator Jelena Dokic has never shied away from responding to online trolls.
Jelena’s most recent endeavor to shut down rumours was after various media publications claimed she and partner had split following a “cryptic” post on Instagram.
“One day we are engaged, the next we are broken up and then we are married and then we are broken up again,” she wrote.
“You never know how you might affect someone and especially their mental health especially when it comes to personal things like relationships which you actually know nothing about and are 100 percent wrong about what you write.”
While Jelena may be accustomed to rumours about her personal life spreading online, the tennis star noted it’s important to call out this behaviour rather than ignore it.
“Stop the headlines, articles and the lies because they have a massive effect on people and you are doing damage that can be catastrophic for some people,” she wrote.
“I am always transparent and always honest about my life and if and when there is something to ever say I will.
“It’s called using my platform and social media for something that can help, empower and inspire others. That’s the real reason behind my posts and not a break up.
“So let me and others do our job of advocating and helping without your silly insinuations and false information. And just to be clear, me and my partner are very much in love,” she concluded.
In 2024, fans commended the tennis star when she confronted body shamers on Instagram.
Jelena posted a side-by-side photo which showed her at last year’s Australian Open and a photo of her during the French Open coverage, to share how turning 40 provided her with a renewed focus on her health, and that it is not about size, but making healthy choices for yourself.
“It’s not good if you gain weight and it’s not good if you lose weight,” she started.
“It’s not good if you are a size 0, 10 or 18 it seems. 🤷♀️🤦♀️So you all know I am very open and honest. Whether I gain weight, lose weight, [feel] depressed, feel great, go through the good or the bad. I am always honest about both sides.”
The open and honest TV personality then took the opportunity to address comments that had been made about her recent weight loss.
“So I thought I would just quickly address my recent weight loss because a few people have written to me and also commented. I have lost 20 kilos from my heaviest weight last year. I had some health issues but also I just wanted to get healthier and fitter and when I turned 40 last year I really started to think about my family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart problems.”
She continued to explain that her work has become more physically and mentally demanding, so the weight loss is a side effect of her health choices not the main focus.
“I didn’t have enough energy, especially mentally, to keep up. I needed to eat healthier to achieve that. So, I didn’t focus on weight so much but just making better choices to feel my best. With that the weight started coming off,” she explained.
Furthermore, she addressed those that felt she had ‘”succumbed to the ‘diet culture’” and no longer “represent[s]…plus size people.”
“Getting healthier and doing what is best for me has nothing to do with it and I have always and always will stand up for both size 0 or size 20 people and especially women.
“While I have lost 20 kilos it changes nothing. I still want people to value me and others based on whether we are kind and good people. I will always be proud of myself and not hide or be embarrassed no matter what size I am. And I will always be against body shaming and against valuing people based on their size and weight no matter if I gain or lose some kilos and dress sizes.
“I’m always against body shaming no matter what.”
When she was a commentator on Channel Nine’s Australian Open coverage in 2022 and 2023, she shared the horrific comments that had been repeatedly made about her online.
As part of the 42-year-old’s effort to fight back against the shame and stigma of dealing with mental health trauma, Jelena 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 in 2023 and 2024.
“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.”
Fearless: Finding the Power to Thrive is 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.
