Holding court: Jelena Dokic on stage with Cindy O’Neill at the Moama Bowling Club on Tuesday night. Photo: Melissa Thomas
It was standing room only on Tuesday as a crowd of more than 400 people jammed into the function room of the Moama Bowling Club to hear tennis star, commentator and author Jelena Dokic speak about her life — pre and post tennis, with honesty and humility that was simply inspiring.
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The event was part of a regional tour celebrating the release of her second book, Fearless finding the power to thrive, and was organised by Collins Booksellers Echuca.
Fearless follows on from Jelena’s first bestselling novel Unbreakable — her incredible story of overcoming adversity, poverty and violence at the hands of her father while rising to the top of the tennis world.
Special visit: Former top tennis player Jelena Dokic and Collins Booksellers Echuca owner Cindy O'Neill in Echuca-Moama.
And honestly you could hear a pin drop as Jelena captivated the audience.
There were tears and there was laughter and Jelena certainly didn’t hold back.
Her story, by any stretch, is not a pretty one.
“I started from below zero so it is possible to come back. I am nothing special and we all have the ability to heal, it is just about how you get there,” she said.
Attentive: The sell-out crowd of 400 at Moama Bowling Club listening to Jelena Dokic.
The abuse Jelena suffered at the hands of her father during her tennis career nearly broke her and at 22 she almost took her own life.
Telling her story has been life changing and she doesn’t make that statement lightly — not just for herself but for the many people who have been touched by Jelena’s courage.
“If I can tell my story and it helps just one single person then my mission has been accomplished,” Jelena said.
Top turnout: A crowd of 400 packed into the Moama Bowling Club function room to listen to Jelena Dokic speak on Tuesday. Photo: Melissa Thomas
“My story is not an easy one to tell and I am grateful if I can use my voice to help people who have suffered from abuse to no longer feel alone.”
Jelena laughs as she says she didn’t think she had a book in her, let alone two, and for them both to hit the bestseller list, well that wasn’t even contemplated — especially when she asked friend and co-writer Jessica Hamilton did she even think anyone would buy her book?
As history shows Unbreakable hit the shelves to an avalanche of publicity and a top spot on the bestsellers list shortly followed.
As the years have passed, Unbreakable has given Jelena a platform to speak out about abuse, eating disorders, mental health and body shaming through social media — not just on the tennis court.
“I have the strength, power, courage and self-worth to tackle these issues now, I didn’t before and I feel like this is what I am meant to do.
“At the Australian Open this year I stood up publicly and said enough is enough when it comes to body shaming of public figures and I couldn’t believe the support I received.”
She said abuse shatters confidence and self-worth and often victims are shamed and stigmatised.
All ears: The crowd in attendance at Moama Bowling Club. Photo: Melissa Thomas
“It’s time the abusers were shamed and stigmatised,” she said.
Jelena has done the work and while she continually reiterates it hasn’t been easy, she is grateful for where she now is.
“I was at the unhappiest point of my life when I wrote Unbreakable to six years later the happiest when I wrote Fearless — I have had to do a lot of work on myself so I could heal, positivity and humour have helped me on my darkest days,” she said.
Despite the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father Jelena doesn’t hate him.
“I don’t think you have to forgive to move on, I don’t hate my father but I haven’t forgiven him.
“Instead I have chosen to accept my circumstances and leave the past in the past, I can’t change it and I no longer blame myself,” she said.
Jelena has also taken inspiration from other female figures including Australian of the Year Grace Tame and US gymnast Simone Biles — two strong women who have spoken publicly about their experiences of abuse.
“Abuse is ingrained in a lot of cultures and often survivors have nowhere to go, I had nowhere to go when I left my family at 19,” she said.
Jelena also touched on the power of the media and how back in her tennis days the situation with her father was treated as a joke and a dirty headline.
“Nobody ever stopped and asked, should we be concerned?”
Jelena said in the intervening years she has had many journalists apologise and she hopes lessons have been learnt by the media.
Collins Booksellers Echuca owner Cindy O’Neill said she had been wanting to hold an event like this for a while and she was delighted with the night and the community response.
“I have been in the bookshop for five years and this is the biggest event I have held.
“Jelena has been very easy to work with and the crowd loved her. She was amazing and very generous sharing her story, it really was a great night.”
For Anne Bowell the opportunity to meet Jelena was a dream come true.
“As a mother and grandmother I couldn’t believe Jelena’s life was so cruel and amazingly she survived — I had to keep putting her second book down because I kept crying for her,” Anne said.
Anne attended the book signing previously held at the Echuca Store where she met Jelena and gave her a hug. She was amazed when at the end of the event Jelena made special mention of Anne and asked her up on the stage.
As she hugged Anne again Jelena told the audience her heart was so full after today.
“This is the power of good people and kindness — when you are kind you can change someone’s life,” Jelena said.
