Jelena Dokic has laid bare several cases of “disgusting” online trolling that has been aimed at her since the beginning of this year’s Australian Open.
After sharing a “shameful” Instagram comment that was left on her personal account on Thursday, stating, “Enough is enough” – the Wide World of Sports commentator posted another remark on Friday afternoon.
“Now that the Australian Open is starting, will Jelena Dokic try to kill herself like she does every year,” a user wrote in Serbian, with a laughing emoji.
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Dokic said she was brought to tears by the remark, labelling the exchange, “A new low”.
The 39-year-old has previously detailed her experience of family and domestic violence at the hands of her father, Damir, growing up, and the resulting psychological impact this has had on her.
In June last year, Dokic opened up on her mental health struggles, admitting she had considering taking her own life in April 2022.
“A new low and this actually made me cry this morning when I woke up and read it,” she wrote.
“Just when you think online abuse and trolling can’t get any worse. Almost 1 million people commit suicide in the world every year.
“That’s scary and so sad and then people like this disgusting person and a few others out there make fun of it!? How disgusting.
“They should (be) ashamed of themselves.”
The former world No.4 asked, “What kind of a person can write something like this and then even worse laugh about it?”
“A bad person, that’s who. And of course an ignorant one,” she wrote.
“I am thinking of all of those who have committed suicide, those who have wanted to, those who have lost friends and loved ones to suicide and all those struggling.
“I am fighting for all of those who feel like they don’t have a voice, who don’t feel like they are being heard, for those who are struggling, for those who have struggled with suicidal thoughts, have lost loved ones and friends to suicide and I am fighting against ignorance, bad people, trolls, online abuse and disgusting human beings.
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“So many are at their absolute breaking point so please be kind, caring and understanding.
“Sending so much love to all the good people out there and especially to all those struggling.”
On Thursday, Dokic’s treatment by her father was used as a weapon against her.
“Apparently it’s OK that I was abused, beaten to the point of being unconscious, beaten to the point of bleeding with a leather belt… because it was good for me and my tennis and I wouldn’t be where I am without it,” she wrote on Instagram.
“You are right, I wouldn’t have been left so traumatised to the point of almost committing suicide.
“To the person that wrote this and if there are any others that may think like this and think that I am lying, I really hope that nobody from your loved ones ever goes through the abuse I went through or the devastating consequences it took on my mental health.”
Dokic’s courage to call out her online abuse comes as Australian tennis great and fellow Nine commentator Todd Woodbridge took to Twitter to condemn the message of an online troll on Wednesday.
Use when mental health issues or suicide/attempted suicide is discussed in your article: If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
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