Former world No. 4 tennis player Jelena Dokic says her love for the sport that defined her career remains undimmed despite the years of abuse she endured off the court.
The 42-year-old is in New Zealand this week as a keynote speaker for the National Sport and Recreation Integrity Wānanga, and told Breakfast her love of tennis is as strong as ever.
"I've always loved tennis, it's been my life and my passion and always will be.
"Yes, it caused a lot of abuse and violence for me at the hands of my father for almost two decades. But the tennis didn't cause that, it was always my love and passion for tennis that got me through those times."
Dokic, who arrived in Australia as a refugee aged 11, quickly became a tennis prodigy in the country and rocketed up the rankings as a teenager.
But she endured years of physical and mental torment by her father.
Writing her book Unbreakable allowed her to turn her pain into purpose, she said.
"When you're going through something like that, the biggest thing that someone can do for you is feel seen and heard and accepted."
Dokic has become a fixture on centre court at the Australian Open the last few years as the courtside post-match interviewer.
"I like the rapport I have with players, I can make it fun and we can make it conversational. It's turned into a bit of a highlight.
"It's interesting, I've got this generation that knows me as a tennis player, but now a generation that knows me as a commentator and speaker."
She will expand on her experiences — and the lessons for sport — at tomorrow’s conference.
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