Even a woman with the fighting qualities of Jelena Dokic can not win every battle. The ultra-determined 25-year-old Australian has had plenty of victories on and off the court this Australian Open, but she could not add Tuesday night’s quarter-final against world No.3 Dinara Safina to the list.
Still, after injuring her ankle in her previous match, her trademark grit was again on show in her 6-4 4-6 6-4 defeat, as she fought back from losing the first set to push the big-hitting Russian all the way.
But while her fairytale Open campaign did not have the ultimate happy ending, Dokic can look back on the tournament with enormous satisfaction.
Her success on the court, unexpected even to herself, has lifted her ranking back inside the top 100, just two years after she was rated outside the world’s top 600 women.
With her most recent previous win at a grand slam tournament in 2003, her emergence from the tennis wilderness provides a platform for her to rise much further this year.
The financial reward is not to be sneezed at either, a $182,500 cheque coming her way as a losing quarter-finalist.
But even more significant is what Dokic has achieved off the court.
Having deserted Australia in acrimony in 2001, earning the ire of many after the years Tennis Australia put into developing her game, the born-again Australian has won warm appreciation from the nation.
Dokic’s underdog status and steely determination on the court have played a large part in that, as has Australia’s desperation to see a local succeed at Melbourne Park.
But the achievement that truly softened the hearts of many Australians was her brave decision to open up publicly about the years of depression she has had to overcome before ridding herself of the damaging influence of overbearing father Damir.
Dokic’s joy and surprise at her run through the tournament has welled into tears after several of her matches, allowing spectators both at Melbourne Park and via televisions around the country to share her emotional ride.
And there have been many willing to do so, each of Dokic’s matches attracting more than a million viewers, with her fourth round win over Russia’s Alisa Kleybanova drawing a huge audience of more than 1.7 million.
Dokic, handed a wildcard into the tournament, has also taken a giant step towards rebuilding the bridges with Tennis Australia that once seemed burnt, apologetically admitting she acted immaturely in past years and should never have left Australia.
The nation’s newest sporting heroine gets a chance to cement that relationship next week when she represents the nation in the Fed Cup.
Dave
Guest
The only people crying here are Ch 7 with Tues ratings involving Dokic 2.3m and Wed with no Oz involved 1.3m...great to see Ch 7 cop one in the goolies...love it!
Green n Gold 2010
Guest
Chris a...The game was a load of crap......How many missed opportunities cost Jelena the match...Was equivalent of Australia not making the world cup in '97 against Iran..........I sat there thinking we suck @ tennis and better stick to cricket or soccer if we are ever gona make it on the world stage..... The girl can't volley, serve to save our blushes and sorry....but fighting spirit is only part of the bigger picture.......She wasn't good enough and probably won't be until she next wins an Australian Open.... Don't see the cricket getting any better....Perhaps Dokic n the Baggy Green should have some bonding sessions by the campfire with some marshmallows and hot chocolate.....
chris a
Guest
First of all good on your dokic, you are a champion off the court as well. I hope to see you in many finals to come. I hope you can forgive your father for what he has done, doesn't mean you have to see him at all though. Keep up the fight, we'll be supporting you every step of the way. "Green n Gold 2010" Have some respect, have you no sympathy? You can't go and buy that at the local liquor store btw if you were wondering.
Green n Gold 2010
Guest
The game was an absolute dogs breakfast I nearly choked on my red wine!!!! Dokic - Wasteful in service, atrocious in forehand, blind when it comes to hitting over the net and basically a choker.......Rather watch the Zimbabwean elections A tear in the viewers' eyes - NOT A BAR OF IT!!! NOT ONE IOTA!!!!!!
Robbos
Guest
Well done Jelena. I can still see her face after the her 3rd round win, she had her towel over her mouth & you could only see her nose & eyes. This was the look of person who has faced alot of trauma in her life in those eyes, it was a very scared look for someone who had just won. I wish her all the best, to enjoy her tennis & to enjoy her life, no pressure.
Forgetmenot
Guest
Everyone started supporting her when she told them all about how she disliked her father, and howshe has had such a hard time in her yearsin the wilderness. I was one of the people not knowing who to go for in that first round match. But when i heard her press conference i embraced her as an Aussie once more. I hope that she does not have too much of a let down after all the excitement of the Open. She continually suprised me with how she perservered through the tight spots in matches.
Millster
Guest
I have to say, as a non-tennis fan I stumbled across the game and was glued. It was a great fight by Jelena and I agree with the above statements that with more match practise, and in small steps, she looks the goods to rise again. To be fair though, Safina also let her off the hook numerous times with a dodgy service game. And with so many breaks of serve throughout the match, and even deuce games that did not result in breaks, it really was one that could have ended up quite differently. A complete see-saw of a match with strengths and weaknesses clearly shown on both sides of the net.
Rory
Guest
She was very close, only a couple of points in it at the end. If she had followed some of those deep shots into the corner into the net she would have had easy volleys. She let Safina's floating replies bounce and Safina was able to reset. A bit more confidence will change that and she'll be a contender anywhere.
sheek
Guest
This was the 'right' result. Not too much too quickly, lest she lose her focus, motivation & drive. This is something to build on. Quarters in Melbourne; maybe quarters or semis in Paris; maybe semis or final in Wimbledon; definitely aim for final in New York. It's been great following Jelena's 'rebirth'. We all make mistakes in life. It's how we come back that defines us eventually. She's been through hell, acknowledged her brat days, & worked hard at once again being accepted for her tennis ability. I hope this next journey is a good one, for her own sake mostly.
Dave
Guest
"but I dont think the crowd is willing her on so that an Aussie can win the Aust. Open." Completely disagree with that statement. No doubt some sympathy from Oz crowd for her family issues, but wider support is because she was winning and therefore was Oz only chance to win a title. Check the TV ratings from her early games to last game...not too many bothered when she played her first round game.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Well done Jelena. I believe that the Aust. crowds supported her because she has had a very hard time and is trying to make a go of things. Sure, she is a very good tennis player, but I dont think the crowd is willing her on so that an Aussie can win the Aust. Open. Having said that, look at the accompanying photo and the physical difference between Safina and Dokic.