Former Australian tennis star Jelena Dokic has detailed the heartbreaking reasons why she’d rather be a size 16 than a size 4 in an emotional late-night social media post to her fans.
Dokic, 39, has long been forthcoming about her struggles with depression, social media abuse, body shaming and the alleged violence she suffered throughout her career at the hands of her father Damir.
On Tuesday night the tennis great explained in some detail how her mental health struggles almost led to her taking her own life.
‘What is the most common comment I see when it comes to my body size and weight?,’ she wrote on Instagram
‘What happened to her? I can barely recognise her. Really? What happened? You can’t recognise me?
Former Australian tennis star Jelena Dokic has detailed the heartbreaking reasons why she’d rather be a size 16 than a size 4 in an emotional late-night social media post to her fans
Dokic, 39, has long been forthcoming about her struggles with depression, social media abuse, body shaming and the alleged violence she suffered throughout her career at the hands of her father
‘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 6 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.’
Dokic, who is often reduced to tears from the trolling she receives online, managed to succeed and build a new life for herself. And for that she is proud.
‘I still managed to do pretty well, I managed to be top 5 in the world as tennis player and a grand slam finalist, I am a bestselling author, commentator and speaker but most importantly I survived.
‘So while you see a weight and size change, I will tell you the difference between these two images.
‘The one on the left is a size 4, scared to death, beaten unconscious and that bulge on my shins is from being kicked all night.
‘The one on the right is me at size 16, I have survived it all and I am here healing from my trauma and thriving.
Dokic, who is often reduced to tears by the trolling she receives online, managed to succeed and build a new life for herself despite shattering experiences on the tennis tour
Dokic made it clear she would choose her life at her current size any day of the week if it ensured her happiness.
‘I think the face in the two images says it all.
‘I will take the size 16 over the size 4 any day if it means I am happy.
‘If it means I turned to food to try and survive, then so be it.
But I am here, I am happy and most importantly I made it through.
‘So there is the answer, once and for all.
‘I went through hell and back and I survived and today I try to help others.
‘That’s what happened.
Dokic says she went through ‘hell and back’ before making it her mission to help others
‘And for those that still don’t get the point, well that says everything about you.
‘Beauty isn’t about being a certain size, beauty is having a beautiful heart and soul.
‘I will leave it at that.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit their website. In an emergency, call 000.
