Would you like to write your own article ?
Simply
email us
REDISCOVERING
DOKIC
SHE MIGHT BE OUT OF FORM BUT JELENA DOKIC ISN'T OUT OF AMBITION, AS SHE AIMS TO
RESURRECT HER CAREER IN HER NEW MELBOURNE HOME.
When Jelena Dokic decided to call Australia home again in October, it soon
became clear she was desperately short of the fitness and form that taken her to
the 2000 Wimbledon semi-finals and the World No. 4 in 2002.
But the one thing that wasn't missing from Dokic's previously powerful arsenal
was her propensity for hard work. Manager Jon Giannarelli told Australian Tennis
Magazine that after three weeks in Melbourne, she'd worked hard enough on her
fitness to shed six kilograms and was on track to achieve her goal to contest
some summer events. "She's training four times a day, spending up to three hours
on the courts everyday. She's taking it all very seriously," he said.
With her WTA ranking listed as 9999, Dokic is under no illusions about the
monumental challenges she faces in resurrecting her career. Speaking through
Tennis Australia's official website, Dokic said that there are some high-profile
players who show that it's achievable. "I am trying to make a full comeback and
only a few people like Jennifer (Capriarti), Mary (Pierce) and Andre (Agassi)
have done it. It is not an easy position to be in, you have to earn respect all
over again," she said.
"It is 100 times harder than when you first come along, because everything
(then) is new and there's no pressure and you are very young."
Craig Tiley, Tennis Australia's Director of Player Development, says that
regular contact with Dokic has increased since her return to Australia.
"Currently she's at Melbourne Park most days and working really hard on fitness
and preparing her game for a return to competative tennis," he expanded.
But there'll be no easy road for Dokic, who even at her peak has struggled to
find her best form in Melbourne - she achieved her best result in reaching the
third round on her 1999 debut. Contesting her home Grand Slam in 2008 will mean
obtaining a wildcard to actually gain entry into the Australian Open's wildcard
playoff in December. She's also keen to contest qualifying events on the Gold
Coast and in Hobart.
Helping her achieve those goals is hitting partner Duje Kavacic (Dokic has also
been hitting with some Australian juniors), with a permanent coach hopefully
joining the team soon.
"I am aiming to be 100 per cent fit by the play-off time - basically as fit as I
can be without having played matches," said Dokic. "That is the first stage
then, of course, I will need lots of matches to get the mental part of my game
right and to get fit.
"I am lucky I have a good hitting partner and can lift or lower the intensity of
my training. It really helps to have good people to work with. Historically my
fitness rises pretty quickly and even after two weeks I expect to be able to do
a lot more than I could at the beginning."
Confidence will no doubt be the key for Dokic, who first re-appeared as an
Australian late in 2005 where she claimed the Australian Open wildcard by
winning the playoff, then lost a heartbreaking three setter to Virginie Razzano
in the opening round of the Australian Open 2006. This year, Dokic has played
just one professional event, losing to Giulia Gatto Monticone in a low-level
event in Italy.
It seems off-court issues were the main reason for the lack of activity over the
past 12 months. "I just haven't played because I didn't feel within myself that
I was ready to play. That's why I took pretty much the whole year off. You
always have ups and downs in a career and I have had a bit of a down period,"
she said.
"I felt like I just wasn't ready to play, until now. I think if you are not
ready, it is counter-productive to try and come back. It is better to leave it
and get yourself together. That is what I have done. It has taken some time, but
right now I feel like I am in a place mentally and physically that I am ready
and able to compete."
Dokic's latest return to Australia comes with no mention of father Damir, one of
the most controversial figures in the game's history. Last year he hit headlines
again with the untrue claim that his daughter had been kidnapped.
Understandably, Dokic chooses to focus on the future instead of her often
painful past and as well as concentrating on regaining her form and fitness, is
taking what time she can to enjoy Melbourne with longtime boyfriend Tin Bikic.
"I'm happily reminded it's a beautiful city and I love it here and am really
enjoying being back," she said.
Off-court hours have included beach training, walks through the city, movies and
the excitement of attending the Justin Timberlake concert. They're the typical
activities of a 24-year-old, providing a timely reminder that should Dokic
return to the form she covets, there are still some good playing years ahead.
Having dealt with what she terms some "negative issues", Dokic appears to be in
the right frame of mind to make her mark again. Says manager Gianarelli: "She
just loves being in Australia and being back here and having positive people
around her. Her attitude is just so good, she's got a smile on the face for the
first time in a number of years. Being in Australia is a real weight off her
shoulders."
