Dokic hails 'life-changing' Open comeback
Australia's Jelena Dokic said Wednesday her amazing Grand Slam
comeback at Melbourne Park had changed her life as the nation's media
hailed a prodigal daughter's return to the big time.
The emotionally-troubled Dokic entered the tournament as a wildcard
ranked 187 in the world and captivated the Australian public with a
barnstorming run to the final eight, tipping out three seeded players
along the way.
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Jelena Dokic of Australia watching the ball as she plays a
return stroke during her women’s singles match against
Dinara Safina of Russia at the Australian Open tennis
tournament in Melbourne on Tuesday. Safina ended Australian
wildcard Jelena Dokic’s dream run to reach the Australian
Open semi-finals beating her 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. .
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The former world number four and 2000 Wimbledon semi-finalist lost to
world number three Dinara Safina on Tuesday but will break back into the
top 100 on the back of her Australian Open efforts.
The 25-year-old will also have sponsors queuing at her door after
becoming the darling of an Australian public which once reviled her when
she renounced citizenship in her adopted country to represent Serbia.
She said support of the Melbourne Park crowd had been a major part of
her success. "It was great, I'm really looking forward to playing here
again next year," she said. "It's been amazing this comeback, the second
part of my career started here, thanks to this crowd. "Sometimes one or
two matches can change a career and a life. I think that's what's
happened here."
Dokic has put her decision to abandon Australia down to her
domineering father Damir and described it as the worst mistake of her
life.
An initially indifferent Australian public was won over when Dokic
bared her soul after surviving the first round, describing how her
career spiralled out of control and she was left depressed and estranged
from her family.
The end of her dream run dominated front pages in Australia
Wednesday, with newspapers celebrating the fighting spirit that saw her
contest a Grand Slam record of five three set matches.
"Dokic fairytale ends - and even her opponent's sorry it's over," the
banner headline in The Australian said, referring to Safina's apology to
the Rod Laver Arena after her win for eliminating Dokic.
"Jelena's Dream Over," the Herald-Sun front page said, continuing
coverage in its sports section under the headline "Defeat isn't all bad
news".Melbourne's Age newspaper reported "The show must go on",
concluding "Jelena Dokic bows out but proves she belongs back on the big
stage".
MELBOURNE,
Wednesday AFP
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