For years, Jelena Dokic was known to the world as an embattled tennis star, and then as a survivor of family violence. Having burst onto the tennis scene at the tender age of 16, the world was yet to understand the extent of the family violence she was enduring at the hands of her late father Damir Dokic.

Now, at 43, she is more than just a survivor of family violence. Jelena has become a fierce advocate for others.

Jelena Dokic’s new book Live Free is out on November 3. Supplied

Jelena speaks openly about family violence, body image, bullying on social media, mental health struggles, and recovering from heartbreak, with a new partner by her side.

She has also built an impressive career as one of the country’s leading tennis commentators at Nine.

She is a Logie-award winner for her documentary Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story, and she is about to release her third book called Live Free, out on November 3 and currently available for pre-order.

Jelena told nine.com.au holding her books in her hands “gets more exciting”. Her first book Unbreakable and follow up Fearless both became bestsellers, and this one looks like yet another winner.

‘I feel like, especially for this one, it’s a real pivot from the first two.’ Instagram/@dokic_jelena

“I feel like, especially for this one, it’s a real pivot from the first two, and especially from the first one, which was a memoir,” she told nine.com.au.

Jelena wants to teach others that you can go through adversity, survive, and even thrive.

“And not being defined by that past, instead actually using it to drive you and still be able to go forward and fulfil goals and dreams, personally and professionally.”

In her latest book, she explains the exact mindset required to achieve all of this.

Finding her voice and leaving shame behind

In her new book Jelena talks about finding her voice, reclaiming her life, and reclaiming her self-worth and confidence, everything she wants others to achieve.

Her newfound sense of peace has been helped in no small part by finding love with her partner Yane Veselinov who has become an important part of her carefully curated inner circle.

“That’s why I also chose to talk about my partner as well,” she said.

Jelena admits finding love wasn’t something she’d thought she’d ever achieve after her painful split with her partner of 20 years Tin Bikic in late 2021.

Jelena Dokic with her partner Yane Veselinov. Instagram/@dokic_jelena

“I really thought that was something that was going to be impossible after finishing an almost 20-year relationship. It’s such a new world to then to go into.

“I was alone for almost five years and that in a way gave it a chance for this really lovely, amazing person to come along later on in life. But also, I have a very hectic life as well. I work a lot. 

“To find a person that’s going to be patient and understanding and kind and love you at this stage of your life no matter what. I always said I wanted a person that’s really kind with a good heart. 

She admits finding love wasn’t something she’d thought she’d ever achieve. Instagram/@dokic_jelena

‘I always said I wanted a person that’s really kind with a good heart.’ Instagram/@dokic_jelena

“I wanted to show what a difference you can make to someone that has gone through a lot … that person can literally save a life.

“I was alone for almost five years and that in a way gave it a chance for this really lovely, amazing person.”

The couple first met in 2025. Instagram/@dokic_jelena

Far from being fully healed when they first met, the pair has instead focused on continuing their healing journeys together.

“I actually feel like I have gone into my friendships and my relationships definitely not fully healed, and I think we’re all learning and growing and healing our whole lives. And I think you can have scars, you can have wounds that you can work on together.”

Courage, and learning to be brave

Rebuilding her life has also been supported by treasured friend, mentor, and colleague Todd Woodbridge who urged her to give tennis commentary a go. Since then, she has continued to challenge herself to chase her dreams.

With her friend and colleague Todd Woodbridge who urged her to try tennis commentary. Instagram/@dokic_jelena

“Most of the time you’re not going to be ready for something, and you never know if you’re ready or not. Sometimes you’ve got to jump into things and give it a go and figure it out. Sometimes you might feel like you’re waiting to be ready.

“That’s the scary part. That’s where courage comes in. 

“But I feel if I don’t give it a go, I might regret it. And if even if something doesn’t turn out absolutely amazing, I’ll will always get positive things out of it. I look at it more as lessons than losses.”

The process of healing and rebuilding, she explains, isn’t always a smooth, upward trajectory. Her focus instead is on moving forward, and not letting her past harden her.

“I wanted to be someone that has gone through something tough and hard, but I didn’t want that to harden me as a person. I wanted to stay soft, I wanted to stay positive, I wanted to be someone that’s kind, I wanted to be someone that could leave a legacy behind.

“I wanted to be someone that’s kind, I wanted to be someone that could leave a legacy behind.”

“I am a face and voice and advocate for survivors, and especially of family violence and child abuse and mental health struggles, even bullying and body-shaming, which I’m so proud of. 

“I still look at myself as that girl that could barely string two sentences together, especially post-tennis career, and today I am in fields that are completely the opposite of that. You have to really be able to talk and be able to think quickly and be able to perform live in front of millions of people watching or listening. 

Jelena at the Nine Upfronts earlier this year. Instagram/@dokic_jelena

“When you hear from people that you do help, that you do give them something to look forward to, that you do give them inspiration, that they can do something, that’s the biggest motivator.”

That has also meant learning to let go of shame, judgement, and stigma.

She is most proud of her advocacy work. Instagram/@dokic_jelena

“For such a long time, victims and survivors were shamed instead celebrated and praised for what they’re going through and speaking up, and abusers, perpetrators, and those actually doing the shaming haven’t really faced consequences.

“So, that’s why I’m so passionate about it and talk about it, because I feel like it needs to change. And we are doing better now, but I feel like, a long way to go.“

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).