Jelena's loving defence of her father's actions
^{The Sunday Telegraph - July 11, 1999 - by John Thirsk}

TENNIS sensation Jelena Dokic has declared her father her best friend.

Only weeks after the elder Dokic's behaviour threatened to overshadow Jelena's stunning success at Wimbeldon, the 16-year-old has told of her love for him.

"I love my father and my family and will always support him," she said in an exclusive interview with The Sunday Telegraph.

"My dad didn't do anything wrong, really. The whole incident was totally blown up.

"I will always support my dad and I know he will always support me back."

With parents Damir and Liliana beside her in their Fairfield unit, Jelena said there was "nothing to defend" about her father's actions at a lead-up tournament to Wimbeldon, when he was ejected by security guards for barracking.

In the ensuing ruckus Damir labelled the officials "Nazis", lay down on the road and jumped on the bonnet of a car. He was released by police with a warning.

The incident focused British press attention on the family, with Damir dubbed the newest Tennis Father From Hell.

The Dokics were criticised for living in a modest $120 a night hotel in Putney, instead of near Wimbeldon where stars like Hingis rent $10,000-a-week houses.

Even supermarket trips for food to save on restaurant bills, and Jelena's penchant for eating pizza, were grist for the mill.

Jelena's attempts to keep a low profile were not helped by former Women's Tennis Association president Pam Shriver.

During TV commentary of Jelena's second-round match, Shriver accused Dokic of coaching his daughter from the sidelines, a charge Jelena denied.

"It was nice to know he was there," Jelena said at the time.

Back home in Fairfield, Jelena stressed the importance of having her father with her on tour.

"Dad has always been the one who I have been through tennis with. He knows me and my game best and knows what I should be working on.

"Whenever the press came up to me they couldn't get anything out of me. He is my best friend."

Her mother concurred, saying: "Jelena thinks the world of her father and is very close to him.

"He is with her most of the time practising, talking.

"It's vital at the moment, and it will always be, that one of us is with Jelena - she is only 16." Mrs Dokic said with Jelena became home-sick without her family.

"We are a very close family and we keep it that way."

Damir Dokic referred to his daughter yesterday as the love of his life. But he stressed Jelena was treated just the same as her younger brother, Zavo, 8.

"I am so proud of her," he said. "Wherever we go we are a family and we like to do things together.

"When Jelena first started playing as a six-year old, I was hoping she would be something special.

"Over the last couple of months she has improved a lot and we saw that at Wimbeldon.

"By Jelena's 17th birthday (next April), I would like her to be in the top 20."

Even controversy can't dim Jelena's excitement about her reception at Wimbeldon, where she beat seeded opponents, including former world number one Martina Hingis.

She felt a huge boost when Australian fans started chanting "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie - Oi, Oi Oi" and waving the flag during her sensational run to the quarter finals.

"Just hearing Aussies shouting really lifts you, and even at Wimbeldon it is like your own crowd," she said.

"I really noticed it when I played against Martina (Hingis) and Mary (Pierce). It's great to hear it, so imagine ehat it's going to be like at the Olympics next year."

Australia's most exciting prospect since Evonne Goolagong has the Olympics firmly in her sights.

"It will be great to play in my home town," she said.

Not even crowds worry this youngster, who has already proved she has nerves of steel.

"It was unbelievable, no nerves whatever," she said. "I was nervous at the Aussie Open, but not at Wimbeldon.

"Martina was the one who was supposed to win. There was no pressure on me, and I thought I may as well go for it."

She didn't even mind the normal media hype saying: "I felt I handled it quite well.

"I got used to the crowds, the autographs and the atmosphere rather quickly and it didn't bother me. Maybe it will be like this at the Olympics."

Jelena is proud to be an Aussie, saying: "I'm an Aussie... and proud of it, and there should not even be a question about that."

The family arrived here six years ago from Yugoslavia, taking out Australian citizenship four years ago.

"We all travel on an Australian passport, not a dual passport, even though we were not born here," she said.

"Whatever the future holds and how much money I make, Sydney will always be home."

So what does a 16-year-old do at home? Boyfriends need not apply. They're not even on the agenda at the moment.

"No, there is no time for boyfriends. I'm 16, concentrating on my tennis, and boys don't count at the moment."

It is easy to forget this tall and composed teen is only 16.

Jelena doesn't talk about her winnings and says the only mementoshe has from Wimbeldon is a couple of their distinctive towels.

And she's superstitious.

I at pizza every night while I was winning, I just had to eat pizza.

On court, I bounce the ball five times before the first serve, two times with the second and don't walk on the lines between points."

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