Tennis world blown away as Jelena Dokic makes brave move amid 'difficult' time
Dokic hadn't spoken to her father for 10 years, and has spoken publicly on numerous occasions about some of the shocking abuse he inflicted on her. The former World No.4 admitted to "conflicting and complex" feelings about Damir's death and said "it's never easy losing a parent and a father, even one you are estranged from."
She wrote in a social media post: "As you know my relationship with my father has been difficult and painful with a lot of history. Despite everything and no matter how hard, difficult and in the last 10 years even non existent our relationship and communication was, it is never easy losing a parent and a father even one you are estranged from.
"The loss of an estranged parent comes with a difficult and complicated grief. It's an end of a chapter and life as I know it. There are lots of conflicting and complex emotions and feelings for me.
"For the end of this chapter, I choose to focus on a good memory like this picture. And as always and especially important to who I am as a person and what I want to stand for which is respect, grace, kindness, dignity and empathy, I will and want to be that person in this situation too."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by JELENA DOKIC 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 (@dokic_jelena)
Considering the difficult time she'd be going through, Dokic could be forgiven for shying away from the public spotlight. But she was back at work with Channel 9 on Sunday night, leading the network's coverage of the French Open at Roland Garros.
Fans flocked to social media to commend Dokic on the brave move. One person wrote: "Thank God she is BACK." While another commented: "Hope you are going ok working after your recent loss, thinking of you and sending love."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by JELENA DOKIC 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 (@dokic_jelena)
It was a mixed night for the Aussies on the second day at Roland Garros, with Ajla Tomljanovic, Alexei Popyrin and Daria Kasatkina winning through. But the Aussie contingent lost Aleksandar Vukic, Chris O'Connell, Daria Saville, Kim Birrell and Jordan Thompson.
Tomljanovic turned the tables on compatriot Maya Joint, winning 6-1 6-3 after retiring hurt against Joint on her march to the Morocco Open title last weekend. Asked if she had a point to prove, Tomljanovic explained: "My coach kind of gave me a really good pep talk - 'You've got to get angry, get determined' - and it really worked today.
"Maya had been playing so well, I had a few days to think about it and knew if I don't come out this way on the attack, it's going to be really tough. It's just nice to see everything pay off when I play the right way."
Kastakina, playing her first grand slam tournament since switching allegiance from Russia in March, got the better of Czech opponent Katerina Siniakova, 6-1 3-6 6-2. And Popyrin ended a run of five-straight opening-round losses at Roland Garros when Yoshihito Nishioka retired hurt while trailing 5-7 4-6 2-1.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Could have hired anyone': Tennis world explodes over Jannik Sinner announcement
Alex de Minaur has made a bright start to his North American hard-court campaign, amid a golden opportunity for the Aussie tennis star to climb the rankings before the US Open. The World No.13 was too good for Yunchaokete Bu at the Citi Open in Washington on Wednesday, winning 7-6 (5) 6-2. The Aussie made a somewhat slow start and was pushed to a tiebreaker in the first set, but showed his class in the second by running away with it. The win was de Minaur's first since Wimbledon, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the fourth round. He'll now play Czech 11th seed Jiri Lehecka in the Round of 16, with a golden opportunity to rise in the ATP rankings. De Minaur doesn't have any points to defend heading into the US Open because he didn't play any of the lead-up events last year. The Aussie was sidelined by a hip injury he sustained at Wimbledon in 2024, meaning he didn't play between the grass and hard-court grand slams. That means he doesn't have any rankings points to defend this year, and any wins he records will see him rise in the standings. With Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper all withdrawing from next week's Masters 1000 event in Toronto, de Minaur has a chance to gain ground on his rivals. With a deep run in Washington and Toronto, he can surge back into the top-10 and potentially get himself an all-important top-eight seeding for the US Open. That would ensure he doesn't face anyone higher than him in the rankings until the quarter-finals. 'It was somewhat difficult at the start of the year and mentally taxing knowing that I had zeros on my ranking because I missed three Masters [also Shanghai],' De Minaur said before the match on Wednesday. 'I knew it would be important to put myself in a good position for the back end of the year when I have little to defend, giving hope that I could gain some serious points and momentum and build on the ranking. So going into the tail end of the year, I'm excited for the opportunity and hoping I can play good tennis and take care of my chances.' Jannik Sinner re-appoints trainer Umberto Ferrara Meanwhile, World No.1 Sinner has stunned the tennis world after announcing he's reunited with former fitness coach Umberto Ferrara. Sinner parted ways with Ferrara and physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi last year after twice testing positive for banned substance clostebol in March 2024. The banned substance entered Sinner's system after Naldi applied an over-the-counter spray to a cut on his own hand before giving the World No.1 a massage without gloves on. Ferrara had given the spray to Naldi, and they both paid the price when Sinner opted to part ways with them. But Sinner's team announced on Wednesday that Ferrara is returning with immediate effect. "The decision has been made in alignment with Jannik's management team as part of ongoing preparations for upcoming tournaments, including the Cincinnati Open and US Open," a statement from Sinner's team said. "Umberto has played an important role in Jannik's development to date, and his return reflects a renewed focus on continuity and performance at the highest level." RELATED: Jannik Sinner triumph could force Aussie coach to backflip on exit call Flood of support after tennis rocked by news about Wimbledon finalist Sinner had explained his decision to part ways with Ferrara and Naldi at the US Open last year. "Now, because of these mistakes, I'm not feeling that confident to continue with them," he said. "I was struggling a lot in the last months. I was waiting for the result. The only thing I need right now is some clean air." Tennis world reacts to Jannik Sinner announcement In February, Sinner cut a deal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport to take a three-month ban, which many thought was very light punishment despite the fact he ingested the banned substance inadvertently. He returned right in time for the French Open, finishing runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz before turning the tables on the World No.2 in the Wimbledon final. The optics of bringing Ferrara back onto his team have raised eyebrows around the tennis world. Aussie great Paul McNamee wrote on social media: "Jannik Sinner rehiring Umberta Ferrara has to be up there as one of the most astonishing PR moves in tennis history. You can afford to hire anyone in the world. Why oh why Jannik?" If he stands by his belief that it was an honest mistake like they've claimed from the beginning, why wouldn't he want to rehire him? Refusing to rehire him because a few idiots on twitter will cry would be silly. Willingness to rehire him more likely confirms there was no… — Mike Gerasimo (@SIGerasimo) July 23, 2025 He got the same doc back 😂😂😂 we have been played ladies and gentlemen 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔 — Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) July 23, 2025 This is really crazy. I don't get how even the most moderate and forgiving critics of the Sinner Saga (like me) can possibly look at this news and not think something is off. Didn't Sinner accept a 3-month BAN from playing tennis because his team, which included Ferrara, made a… — Chris Nolen (@LoveAsInZero) July 23, 2025 with agencies
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ricky Ponting's genius laid bare after call on Aussie bolter already proven right
Former Aussie cricket captain Ricky Ponting has once again shown why he is considered one of the great minds in the game having touted Jason Sangha as a potential bolter for the Aussie Test XI for the Ashes. The Aussie XI has undergone some changes across the last 12 months with Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas and Marnus Labuschagne all having a crack at opening alongside Usman Khawaja. Cameron Green has also been promoted to No.3 with Steve Smith occupying his second drop position. However, the top order has struggled to find their groove with no-one consistently finding runs against South Africa or the West Indies. Konstas is under pressure to hold his place for the Ashes, while Green has endured a tough start to his career at first drop. While Green managed some runs in the West Indies, the 26-year-old still hasn't convinced some he is the long-term replacement at No.3. Speaking after the West Indies series, Ponting said he believes the selectors will stick with the top four as they are heading into the Ashes. But he also tipped Sangha to push for Ashes selection with his form. 'The start of the Sheffield Shield season will be an interesting one ... I'll throw another name in that I think is a highly talented Australian batsman, that's Jason Sangha,' Ponting told the ICC Review podcast this week. 'I think (Sangha is) someone whose name will probably come up at some stage as well, but there's just not many games now, not many opportunities to be able to get yourself and get your name up in front of the selectors.' On Wednesday, Sangha vindicated Ponting's call almost immediately, knocking on the door of selection once again with a double-century against Sri Lanka A. Sangha scored 202 not out off 379 balls as Australia A reached 4-558 before the game was declared a draw at tea on day four. He also scored two half-centuries against Sri Lanka A in Darwin across the opening two matches to continue his exhilarating form. Earlier this year, Sangha scored 126 not out to lead South Australia to a close four-wicket victory over Queensland in the Sheffield Shield final. This contributed to an average of 78.2 across six Shield games last season. And with Ponting watching the 25-year-old closely, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Sangha propelled into the Aussie Text XI if an opportunity arises. But Sangha's mid-career resurgence isn't the only talking point from the side. Teenager Oliver Peake scored 92 off 178 balls against Sri Lanka A, which will see the selectors keeping an eye on the 18-year-old talent. And opener Jake Weatherald blasted 183 to put more pressure on Konstas at the top of the order. Konstas, 200 up for Jason Sangha!And some real class shown by Sri Lanka A, congratulating him after he reached the double #AusAvSLA - — (@cricketcomau) July 23, 2025 Jake Weatherald & Jason Sangha are both very likely to be in the Ashes squad, if not playing XI itself in top 4, although these A team runs seem to be on a flat wicket. Both had really good Shield seasons too. Good time to peak as a top-order batter in Aus domestic cricket. — Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) July 23, 2025 Jason Sangha's first class numbers since his Shield return last December: 906 runs @ 90.6, 4 centuries. Top scored in 8 of those 14 innings which is just nuts — Ethan (@ethanmeldrum_) July 23, 2025 Ricky Ponting backs Sam Konstas for Ashes The Aussie batters endured a brutal time in the West Indies with no player across either team scoring more than 75 runs in an innings in the three match series. Although Konstas particularly struggled. The 19-year-old only scored 50 runs across his six innings having averaged 8.33 in the series. And now it appears there is more pressure on Konstas than ever heading into the Ashes with McSweeney and Weatherald back in the runs. Although Ponting feels the selectors will standby the current side. 'The (batters) that they're talking about the last couple of weeks in particular, have been (Sam) Konstas and (Usman) Khawaja, and then there was some talk about Cameron Green, if he was a long term No.3 three or not,' Ponting said about the make-up of the side. RELATED: Pat Cummins makes call on Sam Konstas after struggles continue Marnus Labuschagne spotted in strange moment amid Aussie win '(Green's) second innings in the West Indies (in the last Test) might have just put some of that to bed. As tough as those conditions were to bat for as long as he did in trying conditions he might have silenced a few of those critics. 'I think with where they're at, I think the Ashes line-up is going to be like it is right now. I think that's what they're going to be starting with, and you keep your fingers crossed and hope that those guys can get the job done at the start.' Aussie coach Andrew McDonald suggested Konstas does need to score some runs in the Sheffield Shield to prove he is ready for the Ashes. 'I think it leaves him where everyone else is in terms of Shield cricket at the start of the season, we're not going to shy away from the fact that will be big for certain individuals to go about their work, put some scores on the board, and, and then for us to look at what we need against England," McDonald said.
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Wales to host final stages of prestigious Tour of Britain
Wales will host the final two stages of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men in September 2025. The prestigious event will see the world's best cyclists battling it out, with the rugged climbs of south Wales providing a stern test. The stages, on September 6, and 7, will feature routes through Pontypool, Newport, and Cardiff, with the notable ascent of The Tumble, near Abergavenny. This is expected to be the final race for INEOS Grenadiers rider, Geraint Thomas. For the first time, Pontypool will see the start of stage five on September 6. The route will navigate through Monmouthshire, concluding with a double climb of The Tumble. The final stage on September 7 kicks off at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in Newport. It will cut across the undulating landscapes of south Wales, passing Maindy Velodrome, before finishing in the heart of Cardiff city centre. This follows the successful hosting of the Lloyds National Road Championships in Aberaeron and Aberystwyth in June, under a three-year agreement between the Welsh Government and British Cycling. Jack Sargeant, Welsh government minister responsible for sport, said: "We're excited to welcome the Men's Tour of Britain back to Wales once again, an event we have proudly supported over a number of years. "The Tour has found a successful home in Wales, and each time it returns it showcases our cities, towns, communities and landscapes to an international audience, as well as attracting athletes from all over the world." A double climb of The Tumble will prove a stern test (Image: Zac Williams/ September will mark the second time that Cardiff has hosted the overall finish of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men, having done so in 2017, and only the third time in the modern race's 21-year history that the event has finished in Wales. Jonathan Day, managing director of British Cycling Events, said: "Wales has provided some of the most iconic moments in Lloyds Tour of Britain history over the years, and this September will be no different. "The Lloyds Tour of Britain Men never fails to draw a crowd in south Wales, and with the four fantastic locations and two stages falling across a weekend we are confident that this will make for a really special atmosphere and a fantastic way to round out the race, and crown our 2025 champion." The weekend will also include an amateur event, the official Lloyds Tour of Britain Ride the Route on September 6, starting and finishing at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in Newport. The full routes of both Welsh stages will be revealed later in July. The Lloyds Tour of Britain Men begins in East Suffolk on September 2, with stages also in Suffolk, Milton Keynes, Central Bedfordshire and Warwickshire before the race arrives in Wales. Further announcements about the participating teams and all six stage routes will be made in the coming weeks.
