Former Australian tennis champion Jelena Dokic has debuted her 45 kilo weight loss while on holidays in Croatia, crediting a specific diet for helping her shed the fat.
The 36-year-old, who used to be the World No. 4, turned to food as emotional support when she retired from the sport in 2014. Her weight steadily climbed to 120 kilos.
But since becoming a Jenny Craig ambassador in January of this year the Melbourne-based athlete has lost almost half of her starting weight, crediting the portion sizes and vast meal options on the diet as her saving grace.
Former Australian tennis champion Jelena Dokic has debuted her 45 kilo weight loss while on holidays in Croatia, crediting a specific diet for helping her shed the fat
On Monday Jelena posted a bikini snap from an ocean pool in Europe on social media, causing hundreds of commenters to congratulate her on her progress
On Monday Jelena posted a bikini snap from an ocean pool in Europe on social media, causing hundreds of commenters to congratulate her on her progress.
‘Another beautiful summer morning in Croatia and I am in full vacation mode. Morning swims are the best,’ she captioned the photo.
‘Looking fabulous! Hard work pays off!’ One woman said.
The former World No. 4 turned to food as a way to cope with her emotions after announcing her retirement in 2014 (pictured at the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur in 2011)
‘You’ve done so well Jelena – you’re inspiring me.’ Another said.
The blonde bombshell regularly shares gym selfies and images of her meals to Instagram, keeping herself accountable while still enjoying her post-competition life.
Speaking to the Sunday Herald Sun earlier this year Jelena had hoped to slim back down to her playing weight of 66kg within six months.
The blonde bombshell regularly shares gym selfies and images of her meals to Instagram, keeping herself accountable while still enjoying her post-competition life
The tennis star (pictured left in 2012) has been documenting her workouts on Instagram (right)
‘I was thrown into retirement not knowing what direction I wanted to go in,’ she told the newspaper publication.
‘I wasn’t prepared – that’s where my weight gain started.
‘When you’re a professional athlete, you’re in this bubble that’s not reality – everything is done for you… training, food, travel, management, so going back into real life was very different.’
Jelena said her battle with depression, glandular fever and a thyroid condition also contributed to her weight gain after it affected her metabolism.
But joining Jenny Craig has ‘changed her life’ with the focused plan and preparation key to keeping the weight off.
‘I didn’t know what I was in for when I first tried the program but very quickly I discovered just how easy and convenient it is and just how tasty the food is,’ she wrote on Instagram.
She and her boyfriend of 16 years Tin Bikic are planning to get married and start a family together in the near future
Her interview comes more than a year after her book Unbreakable shocked the world in 2017 after she detailed the horrific abuse she suffered at the hands of her father during her career
‘I love the fact that my food portions are all set with almost no prep time and more than 70 menu items to choose from without jeopardising my weight loss.
‘My favourite part is having my own consultant who I get to see once a week and who supports me every step of the way. That support has been life changing.’
She and her boyfriend of 16 years Tin Bikic are planning to get married and start a family together in the near future.
In 2017, her book Unbreakable shocked the world after she revealed explosive details about the horrific abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of her father during her career.
The teenage star’s career peaked when she made the Wimbledon quarter finals in 1999 and semi finals in 2000, followed by the 2002 French Open quarter finals
The tennis legend said the worst beating she ever endured was after losing early on at the 2000 du Maurier Open in Canada.
‘It was a really nasty memory that will stay with me forever… I ended up fainting,’ she recalled. ‘He beat me really badly.’
The Croatian-born athlete alleged she was whipped with a leather belt if they had a bad training session and her shins were kicked with heavy dress shoes, often leaving her bruised and bloodied.
The teenage star’s career peaked when she made the Wimbledon quarter finals in 1999 and semi finals in 2000, followed by the 2002 French Open quarter finals.
After years out of the top rankings she made a comeback in 2009 to make the quarter finals of the 2009 Australian Open.