Current and former tennis players are always in the spotlight on social media and online platforms. Amongst the carefully curated endorsements and posts from the tennis stars who share their biggest wins and celebrations, former world number 4 Jelena Dokic gets everyone’s attention with her recent IG post.
The Australian former tennis player, commentator, and author, Jelena Dokic has been an active member online, sharing her story and the real moments of her life. Her recent post is all about encouraging her followers to discuss mental health struggles and not to hide emotional pain.
Jelena Dokic stressed the significance of not “hiding emotional pain”
Jelena is one of the players who has won ATP titles in all the different types of surface courts and was dominating the field during her career. However, it came as a shock to the entire world of tennis when she disclosed her journey. Now, she speaks up about the process of dealing with trauma.
With a picture of her eyes filled with tears, she writes:
“Before I start, let me just say I am ok.
This is from one of those ‘bad days’ we all have sometimes but I thought it was important to talk about it in the hope that it might help someone out there who might be going through a tough time.
Know it’s ok to say that you are not ok and to let it all out and cry. Openly.”
Jelena throws light on how the process of healing is not immediate and sometimes there are going to be small setbacks. She also says that she was able to call a friend who helped her after this particular instance.
She adds, “Emotional pain is not something that should be hidden, swept under the rug and never spoken about.”
“So, don’t let you heart scream in pain in silence. Let it out, it will be easier and a huge weight will lift off your shoulders if you say it out loud.”
Ex-Tennis player Jelena Dokic always discussed her issues on IG
This isn’t the first instance of Dokic ensuring that the online platform is safe for herself and other individuals. She has made use of the platform to share her story of healing from an extremely abusive father, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Warning for domestic/family abuse.
Jelena Dokic shares a photo of herself from the 2000 US Open, showing bruises on her knees from being kicked repeatedly for losing a match.
Once again, we have no idea what these players we talk about so casually are actually going through. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/DjG5f00mu4
— Tick Tock Tennis (@TickTockTennis) April 6, 2023
A couple of months back, several fans were lost in the dance of the anonymity of social media. They unleashed the harshest of comments on the former professional’s weight gain and body-shamed her.
People – leave Jelena Dokic alone and take your hatred elsewhere! pic.twitter.com/hpv5xNukGE
— Tennis Puneet 🎾 📚 (@TennisPuneet) January 24, 2023
In response to the indifferent questions that were raised about what happened to the professional athlete, Jelena shot back:
“Really? What happened? You can’t recognize me? Let me tell you what happened.”
“I survived being a refugee twice, I was bullied, I lived in a domestic violence-filled home for 15 years and I was beaten unconscious, I was abused physically and emotionally and got beaten for the first time when I was six years, I was called a whore and a cow since I was as young as 11. I had to escape home, I battled anxiety, depression, PTSD, and trauma and I almost committed suicide,” she wrote on Instagram.
What are your thoughts on this Champion’s quest to make the online community a safer space for all? Let us know in the comments section below!
