Jelena Dokic has revealed she’s returned to her 2016 weight in a powerful new Instagram post.
The 41-year-old took to social media on Sunday to share images of herself in 2016 and 2024 and said ‘I am the same size in both pics’.
However she admitted the major difference between the photos came down to ‘self-confidence’.
The 2016 photo showed Dokic in dark clothing while sporting a tight smile.
By contrast, the 2024 photo showed the former tennis star in a bright red ensemble and wearing a broad grin.
She admitted that at the time she would ‘hide’ in men’s clothing because of crippling self-doubt.
‘I always dressed in black. Fully black or dark grey. I wore men’s clothing. Men’s shirts.’
‘I didn’t think I was good enough to wear something nice, colour, women’s clothing, dresses or heels.
Jelena Dokic has revealed she’s returned to her 2016 weight in a powerful new Instagram post. Pictured left in 2016 and right in 2024
‘Imagine having such low self esteem and self worth that you wear men’s clothing.’
However she signed off with a message of encouragement for her fans, writing, ‘never hide, always stand tall, be proud and hold your head up high.’
It comes just weeks after Dokic opened up about the domestic abuse she suffered as a young tennis player in a new documentary.
In a trailer for Unbreakable, set to be released next month, Dokic recalls how she felt pressure to win as her father Damir would inflict regular beatings.
Jelena was born in Yugoslavia and her family moved to Australia when she was 11 years old.
He tennis career peaked when she made the Wimbledon quarter finals in 1999 and semi finals in 2000, followed by the 2002 French Open quarter finals.
‘I’m 16 years old here. I was playing the number 1 Martina Hingis and I knew if I lost the consequences were catastrophic,’ she says while watching footage of herself play.
‘One day after I lost I knew what was going to happen… I was starting to feel really broken inside.
‘There was not an inch of skin that wasn’t bruised. I’m 17 and through his actions, [I] became the most hated person.’
Lindsay Davenport, three-time grand slam tennis champion, also features in the documentary and recalls seeing Jelena suffer.
‘Some other players had noticed bruising,’ Davenport says.
Former Australian tennis champion Jelena Dokic has opened up about the domestic abuse she suffered as a young tennis player in new documentary Unbreakable
American doubles legend Pam Shriver adds: ‘When you look back and see what she did accomplish, wow.’
Australian journalist Richard Hinds also says: ‘From fairly early times, there were rumours about what was happening. Questions were asked, but they hit a brick wall.’
Meanwhile, leading tennis reporter Christopher Clarey expresses his regret at not investigating the rumours further.
‘Could I have had dug deeper to uncover what was really going on? I think a lot of us could have,’ he says.
Dokic has long been open about her struggles with depression, social media abuse, body shaming and the family violence she suffered throughout her career.
In April, she posted images of herself at 17 with bruised legs on Instagram, saying she is ‘sad and angry’ about the countless number of women suffering abuse.
‘Swollen, bruised and bleeding shins from being beaten and kicked all night with sharp shoes right into my shins for losing a match,’ she posted.
‘These images were taken more than two weeks later and I was still heavily bruised. I was 17 years old.
In a trailer for Unbreakable, set to be released next month, Dokic recalls how she felt pressure to win as her father Damir would inflict regular beatings
‘To this day I still have sensitive and bumpy shins from this beating.
‘From every wound there is a scar and these are mine. I have survived but not everyone woman and girl has or will.
‘And that’s the sad reality.’
She added that she wanted to speak for sufferers who don’t have the same platform as her.
‘I was speaking at a domestic and family violence event today and I was sad,’ she continued.
‘Sad and angry for the tens of millions of women out there in the world who I know right in this moment are going through a lot worse than I ever did.
‘1 woman a week is killed from domestic violence in Australia alone. 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
‘The figures are even worse around the world.
‘I’m 16 years old here. I was playing the number 1 Martina Hingis and I knew if I lost the consequences were catastrophic,’ she said while watching footage of herself during a match
‘The more that we don’t talk about it, the more we shy away from the issue, the more we are abandoning women and girls.
‘For those reading this that might be experiencing abuse or domestic violence just know I get you.
‘I know how scared and afraid you are. Know that you have incredible strength and courage. Nothing is your fault.’
‘For those that can please be there for those that need help and support. Don’t shy away from them and don’t abandon them.
‘Coming from someone that has been there, abandoned and scared to death please don’t turn your back. Women and girls need you and your help.’
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit their website 1800respect.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
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