Australian tennis star Jelena Dokic has been targeted for online abuse once again, this time because some Instagram users took exception to her flying business class while on holiday.
The former World No.4 is now a commentator and successful author who shines a light on abuse and fights against trolls who have previously body-shamed her on social media.
Enjoying some downtime, Dokic posted a flood of happy images of her recent trip to Europe.
‘Had a great holiday but now it’s time to go home. Thank you Croatia, It was absolutely amazing,’ she said.
‘I wanted to accomplish four things on this holiday: Recharge and recover for my mental health and do some self care and reflecting, enjoy every moment like it’s my last, create amazing memories, really love, cherish and be grateful for what I have.
‘And I can say, mission accomplished. And that I am so happy about.’
But not everyone shared her happiness, with a cluster of disgruntled social media users complaining about images of her travelling business class.
‘Shame they dont have that in cattle class,’ one wrote.
This image triggered a number of social media users who believed that Dokic was showing off by posting photos of her experience flying business class
Dokic took plenty of photos on holiday as she enjoyed the pristine water in Croatia and took in the local scenery
A happy and refreshed Dokic posted ‘mission accomplished’ after setting out to recharge her batteries on a well-deserved holiday
After returning home, Dokic posted a video to social media revealing some people had privately messaged her to slam her for ‘showing off’ and not being ‘humble’.
‘I posted a couple of images of flying back from Europe, flying back home to Australia in business class. A few people have had an issue with that,’ she said in the post.
‘It didn’t sit well with them that I went on vacation and that I flew back business class. Apparently because I did and apparently because I posted a couple of pictures of that, now I am apparently showing off and I am not humble.
if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all
‘Usually I don’t care what people say. I have, in the past, reacted strongly to body shaming … but not to the other [forms of] abuse on social media.
‘I do feel like I need to address this because this is still social media abuse. Just on a different level.
‘I think it is very simple, if you don’t like what you see and you feel like you don’t like someone, you don’t have to follow them.
‘I might not be everyone’s cup of tea and that’s all right.
‘I think going further than that and actually leaving me comments and messages, it’s just not necessary.
‘I’m a big believer in, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all,’ she said.
Dokic looks radiant in the Croatian sun as she enjoys downtime ahead of a busy summer of tennis in Australia
Dokic was all smiles as she posed for a range of photos on holiday that she shared with her fans on social media
Dokic has previously been body-shamed on social media and said this is another form of online abuse after being shamed for taking a lavish holiday including a business class flight
Dokic received plenty of support for her video, with fans urging her to ignore the ‘haters’ and live her best life.
‘You, of all people deserve the very best Jelena, for the example you set for others with compassion and understanding! Do not take notice of negative remarks! Thank you for being such a positive and inspiring person,’ one supporter urged.
‘Enjoy your business flight. It’s your money and you can spend it any way you want. Your holiday snaps were amazing,’ added another.
‘If you can… business all the way everyday… enjoy every second and never apologise for it… haters gonna hate… also I just finished Bridget Jones… nice choice,’ posted another fan.
But her detractors were not done yet, with several negative comments appearing on social media in response to her video.
‘She loves the attention, if she didn’t she wouldn’t post on social media,’ one posted.
However, they were quickly slammed by Dokic’s supporters.
‘Envy is what produces such negative trolling. It’s a form of bullying. And Jelena should not have to receive such garbage. She seems to be a very nice person and does not deserve this rubbish,’ a Dokic supporter fired back.
‘Don’t take any notice of the creeps, Their jealousy, will never override how good you were and that your an amazing person. Tell them all to go and jump,’ added another.