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Jelena Dokic knows little about the controversy involving fellow Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic. But when it comes to the pressures and potential disasters of being a teenager with awesome sporting talent, Dokic is unfortunately an expert.
Dokic, who is estranged from her father Damir, has enjoyed a strong year of results and is in Melbourne to qualify for next month’s Australian Open.
She was ranked as high as fourth in the world earlier this decade, but her career almost fell apart amid some well-chronicled off-court problems.
Those problems generally involved her father.
Tomic, 16, is a rising star in the sport, but the International Tennis Federation (ITF) is looking into his walk-off during last week’s Sorrento tournament in Perth.
John, his father and coach, reportedly argued heatedly with the umpire before Bernard left the match.
Tennis Australia is awaiting an ITF response on the incident before deciding what action to take.
“I don’t know exactly what happened, I heard something was going on – people should just leave that situation alone, it’s not an easy situation for anybody,” Dokic said Tuesday.
“I know how somebody can feel, a little bit, regarding that.
“But really, I don’t know the whole situation.”
On Monday, it was reported that Dokic will help mentor young Australian tennis players.
Part of her advice would be two absolutes – enjoy what you do, and make sure you surround yourself with good people.
“There are a lot of players in different situations – first of all, you have to enjoy what you do,” Dokic said.
“I was lucky that I really loved tennis and enjoy what I’m doing.”
Dokic said the players coming through the system were becoming younger and they had to learn to deal with the enormous pressure involved.
“From parents, to managers, to everything – there’s a lot of pressure,” she said.
“You just have to surround yourself with the best possible team that you can, who are really positive and who are there for you no matter what happens.
“Sometimes this is very hard to find, as I’ve experienced, but that’s all you can do.
“Even if you do well, still stay on the ground, have your feet on the ground.”
Inevitably, Dokic was asked about Damir and she politely, but firmly, made it clear that she has nothing to do with him.
“This issue, it comes up every year, but every year it’s the same answer and I think it will stay that way,” she said.
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