Meet Jelena Dokic’s Parents: Damir Dokić and Ljiljana Dokić

Jelena Dokic, known for her resilience and talent in tennis, has a story shaped by migration, family struggles, and a complex relationship with her parents, Damir and Ljiljana Dokić.

Born on April 12, 1983, in Osijek, SR Croatia, then part of SFR Yugoslavia, Jelena comes from a mixed-ethnicity background. Her father, Damir Dokić, is Serbian, while her mother, Ljiljana (née Podnar), is Croatian. The family’s experiences were deeply affected by the Yugoslav wars, prompting their move from Osijek to Sombor, Serbia, in 1991. Jelena has one sister, Saveta Dokić, though little is publicly known about her.

In 1994, seeking stability, the family immigrated to Australia, settling in the Sydney suburb of Fairfield. Life in their new country came with challenges, including poverty and cultural adaptation, but it also marked the beginning of Jelena‘s rise in tennis. Her father, Damir, became her first coach, though he was notorious for his controversial and often abusive behaviour. Her mother, Ljiljana, played a quieter role but was involved in key family decisions.

Jelena’s education was frequently disrupted due to the family’s relocations and her early focus on tennis. After moving to Australia, she attended school but prioritized her tennis career over formal education. There is little public record of her completing high school or pursuing higher studies, though she has since become an advocate for mental health and domestic violence awareness, showing a commitment to self-education and public speaking.

Damir Dokić

Damir Dokić remains one of the most controversial figures in Jelena Dokic’s life. More than just her father, he was also her coach, pushing her toward tennis success. However, their relationship was marked by volatility and abuse. Damir gained notoriety for his erratic behaviour at tournaments, frequently clashing with officials and the media, which led to bans from several major tennis events.

In her 2017 autobiography Unbreakable, Jelena revealed the severe physical and emotional abuse she endured from a young age. She recounted being subjected to beatings and verbal attacks, which began when she was just six years old. One of the most harrowing incidents occurred after a loss at Wimbledon in 2000 when Damir’s reaction was so extreme that Jelena feared returning home.

His abusive behaviour often overshadowed her tennis achievements, drawing public sympathy and scrutiny. In 2009, Damir was imprisoned in Serbia for making violent threats, partly linked to Jelena’s revelations about their past. They have remained estranged for over a decade, a fact Jelena confirmed while promoting the 2024 documentary Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story.

Ljiljana Dokić

Unlike the public and tumultuous presence of Damir Dokić, Ljiljana Dokić has remained a more private figure in Jelena’s life. Though often described as passive in the family dynamic, her influence was significant.

She made key decisions, including moving the family from Croatia to Serbia and later to Australia, seeking better opportunities for her children. Despite Damir’s dominance, Ljiljana’s quiet support contributed to Jelena’s resilience and survival through her difficult teenage years.

Jelena‘s relationship with her parents remains complex. While Damir’s actions left deep scars, she has expressed no hatred toward him, suggesting a personal effort to move forward.

Ljiljana, though less publicly visible, was part of the foundation that helped Jelena transition from a life of hardship to one of advocacy, using her experiences to speak out against domestic violence and support mental health awareness.