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“Proud of my heritage”: Barty’s emotional speech

<p><em>Image: 9News</em></p> <p>Former tennis star turned commentator Jelena Dokic became emotional and teared up as she spoke to Ash Barty for her on-court interview after defeating Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko 6-0 6-1 in just 54 minutes.</p> <p>Much like the rest of the country, Dokic is clearly a big-time Barty supporter, as she found it unmistakably difficult to keep her composure as she chatted on-mic with the superstar on Centre Court after her win, where she immediately recalled another of Barty's victories.</p> <p>“I want to first congratulate you on your Wimbledon win. I think I speak — not I think, I’m sure — I speak for everyone here, everyone in Australia, around the world, particularly myself — thank you,” Dokic said.</p> <p>“You gave us so much joy watching that last year. You made us so proud. I get goosebumps right now. I just want to hug you but I can’t.</p> <p>“There are no words to describe what you’ve done so thankyou for that.</p> <p>“Now I’m going to lose all my questions.”</p> <p>Then it was Barty's turn to speak, as she talked about her Indigenous heritage while three young fans waved the Australian Aboriginal flag from the stands.</p> <p>“I think I’m my most comfortable self when I’m out on the court … I’m a very, very proud Indigenous woman. I love my heritage, I love to celebrate my heritage,” she said.</p> <p>“It’s what connects me to all of you here today. It’s what connects me to the land.”</p> <p>The exchange melted hearts. Tennis writer Prajwal Hegde tweeted: “Jelena Dokic’s on-court interview of Ash Barty — Wimbledon, Indigenous heritage, expression — was outstanding. The world No. 1 is Australia’s and is much loved.”</p> <p>It’s not the first time Dokic has welled up speaking about Barty. After the 25-year-old won Wimbledon last year, Dokic became emotional on live TV as she praised the role the Queenslander’s parents have played in raising her to become such an admirable role model.</p> <p>“I just want to get this out before I fall apart. So give me 15 seconds,” Dokic told Nine in July.</p> <p>“I want to give a shout out to her parents, obviously Josie and Rob, because people underestimate the importance of family. She talks about that all the time.</p> <p>“And as someone who didn’t have that support, it is so important. This will set an example for parents in Australia and around the world, not just how to raise a champion but a genuinely wonderful human being."</p> <p>“This is how you support them. You don’t pressure them, you’re there for them and this is why she is there, so big shout out to them, well done.”</p>

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Jelena Dokic's heartbreaking post

<p dir="ltr">Over the weekend, former tennis champion Jelena Dokic shared a heartbreaking message to Instagram in honour of World Mental Health Day. The 38-year-old shared a photo taken of her as a teenager, accompanied by a caption detailing her own struggles with mental illness and encouraging people to support those in their lives working to manage their mental health.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU1t_fuBouV/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU1t_fuBouV/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by JELENA DOKIC 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 (@dokic_jelena)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The photo was taken at the 2000 US Open, when Dokic held a post-match press conference hours after her father was removed from her match by security while shouting curses and insults.The caption reads, “This photo brings up a lot of sadness and pain and was taken during a period of my life where I was experiencing depression,anxiety and PTSD. Only a few years later I almost ended my life. Today I am in such a different space. Having gone through many personal challenges and come out the other side, I know how important it is to check in on people around you. I know that not everyone is fortunate enough to get through difficulties like I have. That’s why today is so important to raise awareness globally of mental health issues and mental illness.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It might not seem like a big deal but for anyone facing mental health struggles, just knowing that someone cares for you really does make a world of difference. I know how important it is to check in with family, friends or anyone struggling. I struggled immensely and wish more people would have checked in on me. So please show support and be kind because you never know what someone is going through and what battle they are fighting.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sometimes people underestimate the power of sending a text or making a phone call. It doesn’t take a lot of time and effort and it might not seem like a big deal but it really can and does have an enormous impact. I know it always has and does for me. On every level, we need to have more open conversations about mental illness. So take care of yourself and take care of others on this very important global day.</p> <p dir="ltr">There is a lot we can do for ourselves as well as others:</p> <ul> <li> <p dir="ltr">Call friends, family and those struggling and tell them you’re thinking of them.</p> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <p dir="ltr">Send a bunch of flowers to someone who might be struggling.</p> </li> <li> <p dir="ltr">Write down what you’re grateful for.</p> </li> <li> <p dir="ltr">Look after your body and try to be active.</p> </li> <li> <p dir="ltr">Reach out for professional help if you need it.</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">Sending you all so much love and especially to those out there struggling. Just know that you are not alone. If you or anyone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BptuNyTFT98/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BptuNyTFT98/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by JELENA DOKIC 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 (@dokic_jelena)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Dokic has previously gone into detail about her struggle with mental illness in her autobiography,<span> </span><em>Unbreakable,</em><span> </span>released in 2017. In it, she revealed she had been abused by her father from the age of six, and suffered physical abuse almost every time he was unhappy with how she had played. Her book included many other disturbing revelations, including the fact she was made to try and find a place to sleep somewhere at the Wimbledon courts after her semi-final loss in 2000, when she was told she was not allowed to sleep in the family hotel room.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dokic says she has given up on ever reconciling with her dad, despite holding out hope he would one day apologise. She broke down in tears earlier this year when discussing how supportive Ash Barty’s parents have been of their daughter, saying after Barty’s Wimbledon win, “And as someone who didn’t have that support, it is so important. This will set an example for parents in Australia and around the world, not just how to raise a champion but a genuinely wonderful human being.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Danny Gohlke/Bongarts/Getty Images</em></p>

Mind

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“Never talk like that about a man”: Jelena Dokic hits back at cruel comments

<p>Jelena Dokic has opened up about receiving cruel criticism about her weight while working at the Australian Open.</p> <p>The former world No. 4 has been interviewing tennis players competing in this year’s tournament and took to Instagram she put on some weight during Melbourne’s lockdown.</p> <p>However the 37-year-old told people to “get over it” on Tuesday night.</p> <p>“I am sharing this with you all because even though I have the best supporters in the world that send me thousands of messages of support, I have also received a few comments body shaming me and seen an article in the media about my weight and physical appearance,” Dokic wrote with two images of her before and after COVID-19 side by side.</p> <p>“I have always been honest with you all about my struggles and my weight battles. I have talked about my weight and not a lot of people have done that publicly.</p> <p>“Now I am also going to be honest but I also feel like I need to address the negative attention around what people think I should look like.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLWSPSqhO0r/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLWSPSqhO0r/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by JELENA DOKIC 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 (@dokic_jelena)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“And here is my message to you, GET OVER IT.”</p> <p>Dokic retired in 2014 lost 53kg after reaching 120kg between 2018-2019.</p> <p>She revealed in a social media post her battle with depression over her weight.</p> <p>“Leave me and my physical appearance alone. I really don’t know why people and the media have the need to comment on someone’s physical appearance, especially when it comes to women,” she said.</p> <p>“You would never talk like that about a man, it’s always about women and their appearance.</p> <p>“While I am nowhere near my heaviest, I am also completely honest about the fact that I have put some weight back on in the Melbourne lockdown.</p> <p>“It was very hard mentally for me in the world’s toughest lockdown for six months and not being able to see my loved ones for 15 months.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B7ev0YaBvyv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B7ev0YaBvyv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by JELENA DOKIC 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 (@dokic_jelena)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“I have even had some depression and anxiety creep back up and it’s been a battle.</p> <p>“To all the body-shamers, online trolls and the media that have body shamed me, you should be ashamed of yourselves. If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.</p> <p>“How about a bit of kindness? How about a message asking me how I am doing? Instead of talking about my weight, why don’t you talk about all my accomplishments? Does my weight determine my worth?</p> <p>“It’s so easy to judge others but why can’t people just be kind? We should be talking about inner beauty and not the shallow outside looks.”</p>

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Novak Djokovic rocked by marriage claims after wife's no-show at Wimbledon

<p>Tennis star Novak Djokovic’s marriage has set tongues wagging after his wife and “rock”Jelena was missing throughout the entirety of Wimbledon 2019. </p> <p>The 33-year-old was not in attendance for any of Novak's matches including the nail-biting win against Roger Federer in last Sunday’s grand final. </p> <p>What was his fifth men’s title for this year’s tennis tournament seemed to have been missed by Jelena. </p> <p>The stunning mother of two also missed the Wimbledon Champions Ball, leaving the tennis victor to attend alone. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BmIJm-EFHkY/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BmIJm-EFHkY/" target="_blank">Cheers to new beginnings and fresh starts 🍹 Good luck my champion! ❤ We believe in you! 🎾💪🙏 #TeamDjokovic #NoleFam @djokernole</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/jelenadjokovicndf/" target="_blank"> Jelena Djokovic</a> (@jelenadjokovicndf) on Aug 5, 2018 at 11:27pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The absence has sparked rumours to fly as Jelena has always been a guaranteed support system from the sidelines for Novak. </p> <p>This year, the tennis champ said his wife was staying at their London home with their youngest daughter Tara, 1, as she was too small to attend the matches.</p> <p>After his victory, Novak said: “It’s extra special sharing it with my son [Stefan, 4] in the crowd and my parents, the whole team."</p> <p>He added, "My wife and my daughter are here in London, but they’re at home. So I give them a big, big hug.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlpNxqaFa5W/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlpNxqaFa5W/" target="_blank">Still savoring this moment with the loves of my life.. 💗🎾 #family #love #wimbledon #tennis 📷 @illustrationsinspirations</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/jelenadjokovicndf/" target="_blank"> Jelena Djokovic</a> (@jelenadjokovicndf) on Jul 24, 2018 at 11:07pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Last year, Novak described the feeling of seeing his wife and eldest child in the crowd looking down on him when he lifted the trophy as one of the happiest moments of his life. </p> <p>Jelena was not able to bring Stefan into the centre count until after match point due to Wimbledon’s “no children under five” being able to enter the venue rule.</p> <p>“Actually, I didn’t talk about it, but it was one of, if not the biggest, motivation I’ve had for this Wimbledon this year,” Novak said. </p> <p>“I was visualising, imagining this moment of him coming to the stands, cherishing this moment with my wife and me and everyone. It’s hard to describe.</p> <p>“I never had him in the box watching the tennis match. I was hoping that Wimbledon can be that tournament because he’s big enough now I think to stay quiet maybe for 30 minutes or so</p> <p>“There are special rules here so we have to respect them.</p> <p>“Roger (Federer) had his girls and his boys as well, I think, last year and the years that he won at the trophy ceremony, so I was hoping I can have Stefan, too.”</p> <p>“He was not there til the very moment when I was walking to get an interview. He walked in. So that was just a moment that I will carry inside of my heart forever.”</p>

Relationships

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Novak Djokovic's sweet kiss on red carpet with wife Jelena

<p>World no. 1 tennis star Novak Djokovic made a stunning entrance with his wife, Jelena, on Sunday night for the Laureus World Sports Awards held in Monaco.</p> <p>Leading the glamour and adding to the long list of world-class athletes, the tennis star shared a sweet moment of affection with his wife while taking pictures on the red carpet.</p> <p>Looking absolutely smitten together, Jelena supported her husband as he accepted the Sportsman of the Year Award for the fourth time.</p> <p>In a heart-warming speech, Djokovic honoured 2018’s and 2019’s success, not before thanking his wife for her years of support.</p> <p>“A Laureus Award is what every athlete wants to win, and this one is a huge honour for me. Being among so many sporting greats here tonight … gives this award a special meaning for me,” said Djokovic.</p> <p>“Last year was an incredible season for me. Returning from injury to win Wimbledon and the US Open is something I’ll remember forever.”</p> <p>The world no. 1, who took out the Australian Open in January, previously won the trophy in 2012, 2015 and 2016.</p> <p>Other nominees who came close to taking the Sportsman of the Year Award this year included F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, American basketball star LeBron James, French football player Kylian Mbappe and Kenyan long-distance runner Eluid Kipchoge.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Honored to receive the Sportsman of the Year award 🙏 Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/LaureusSport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaureusSport</a> for a wonderful evening celebrating our journeys and the power of sport to change the world. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Laureus19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Laureus19</a> <a href="https://t.co/HNFPWNbQgV">pic.twitter.com/HNFPWNbQgV</a></p> — Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) <a href="https://twitter.com/DjokerNole/status/1097608278387843074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Djokovic also dropped a bombshell admission on Sunday night when he admitted coming close to quitting the sport that has given him 15 grand slam titles.</p> <p>"Your support has been tremendously significant to me in those moments when I was questioning everything, when I was going through my doubts and dilemmas whether I want to keep on playing tennis.</p> <p>“And yes, I did think about leaving tennis and I did think about everything else," Djokovic said.</p> <p>As well as his surprising admission, the star also revealed he had trouble finding meaning in his long-spanning and rewarding career – feeling “relief” more than accomplishment after his biggest wins.</p> <p>"Back in Roland Garros 2016 when I achieved the ultimate goal of tennis to hold all four slams at the same time, I felt a huge relief, I did not feel fulfilment to be honest.</p> <p>"I tried to understand why and I think it was because I didn't embrace or I didn't live the process or the journey as much as I needed and wanted that destination or that achievement of that goal.</p> <p>“When I actually reached it I realised that the goal would be nothing without that journey,” he finished. </p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the sweet moment of affection between Djokovic and his wife, Jelena. </p>

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“I almost committed suicide”: Why police didn't investigate Jelena Dokic abuse

<p>Tennis Australia has today spoken out about the horrifying allegations revealed in Jelena Dokic’s new autobiography Unbreakable.</p> <p>The sport’s governing body said officials reported concerns about Dokic’s welfare to police at the time of the abuse, but without cooperation from those involved, they could not be fully investigated.</p> <p>Former tennis champion Jelena Dokic has revealed she nearly killed herself after suffering years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her father.</p> <p>The 34-year-old has opened up about the extent of her suffering as a child and teenager almost every time her father and coach Damir Dokic was displeased with her performance on the tennis court.</p> <p>The shocking revelations include such claims that she was regularly beaten with a belt and a hard-capped boot by her father. Once a beating knocked her unconscious.</p> <p>After her semi-final loss in 2000 at Wimbledon she was kicked out of the family hotel room, which her tennis career was funding, and forced to sleep at the courts.</p> <p>But it was the emotional abuse from her father who often labelled her a “whore” that Dokic says drove her to suicidal thoughts.</p> <p>The former World No. 4 says she suffered abuse as a child and teenager almost every time her father was displeased with her performance on the tennis court.</p> <p>A polarising figure in the Australian media during her tennis career, Dokic was often branded a “spoiled brat”. </p> <p><img width="437" height="291" src="http://www.juice1073.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Jelena-Dokic-enews.jpg" alt="Image result for jelena dokic unbreakable" class="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Tennis Australia’s statement reads: “All of us at Tennis Australia applaud Jelena’s courage in telling her story and will continue to support her in any way we can</p> <p>“There were many in tennis at the time who were concerned for Jelena’s welfare, and many who tried to assist with what was a difficult family situation.</p> <p>“Some officials even went as far as lodging police complaints, which without cooperation from those directly involved, unfortunately could not be fully investigated.</p> <p>“Over the past ten years tennis has been constantly improving and updating policies to increase protection for children.</p> <p>“Tennis Australia is working closely with the Australian Childhood Foundation to strengthen the safeguarding of children across the sport.”</p>

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