Jelena Dokic said her grief was “difficult and complicated” after announcing the death of her estranged father and former coach Damir.
Dokic, formerly ranked fourth in the world, retired in 2014, revealed in 2017 that she suffered years of physical and mental abuse from her father.
Damir was banned from participating in all WTA Tour events in 2000 after he abused in the player's lounge during the U.S. Open.
He was also sentenced to jail for threatening the Australian ambassador to Serbia with a grenade
Dokic arrived at the Wimbledon semifinals at the age of 17 in 2000, and her father had been alienated for 10 years.
Dokic, Australia, wrote under an Instagram post about her father and her own kids: “It is well known that my relationship with my father has been difficult and painful in much of historicity.
“Despite everything and hardship, it’s never easy over the past decade, even though our relationships and communication have been hard, hard, and losing our parents and fathers, even if you’re separated from your parents.
“The loss of estranged parents brings difficult and complex sadness.”
