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The tennis world has been quick to congratulate Aussie tennis icon Jelena Dokic as she finally went public with her new relationship.
The much-loved commentator hard-launched her latest beau, Yane Veselinov, on Instagram on Monday afternoon.
Posting a picture of her and Veselinov, the 42-year-old wrote: “You are my calm, safe, peaceful and happy place. So glad I found you.”
The post was inundated with messages of support, as fans went wild.
“COULDN’T LOVE THIS MORE,” one fan wrote.
“Oh YAYYYYYY!!!! So happy for you xxxx you deserve all the joy and happiness life has to offer,” another commented.
“This makes me so happy! You deserve all the happiness in the world Jelena!” a third wrote.
While others commented “best news ever,” “so happy for you” and “so happy for your happiness – you deserve this love.”
The tennis star turned commentator previously dated Tin Bikic for 19 years before the relationship ended in 2022.
Since their split, Dokic has rebuilt her life and career and has also opened up in depth about the torment she endured at the hands of her late father, Damir.
The former world No. 4 tennis player survived physical and emotional abuse from her father along with cowardly online trolling over her appearance, to forge a successful career as a commentator and author.
And her news of her relationship comes just weeks after she appeared on the Mental As Anyone podcast, the beloved tennis champion spoke about her love of children and the possibility of exploring adoption.
“I was in a relationship for almost 19 years from the age of 20 and right when we split up, we were about to start trying for a family.
“Maybe one day. One day will I adopt? Possibly. It’s something I would love to do because I love kids.”
Dokic broke onto the tennis scene at just 16 years of age back in 1999 as a little-known qualifier at Wimbledon, where she upset world No. 1 Martina Hingis before reaching the quarter-finals.
The following year, she reached the semifinals of Wimbledon — her best Grand Slam result — but hidden behind the scenes was a dark story that would eventually derail her career.
At the height of Dokic’s tennis career, Damir made her turn her back on Australia and switch allegiances to Yugoslavia, which saw her booed at the Australian Open by Aussie fans.
Her promising career deteriorated, with her father largely to blame, and it was only in recent years that Dokic was able to reveal the true depths of her abuse.
Discussing the prospect of motherhood, Dokic spoke bravely about concerns she could replicate some of her upbringing with a child of her own.
But the six-time WTA tournament winner had an emphatic response to that possibility.
“Did I at one stage maybe think, I didn’t have the best experience, and I know a lot of people with parents and having that childhood and what would that mean for me?” she said.
“Because I know a lot of people who have been through family violence or abuse, domestic violence, however you want to frame it, they are worried about that, whether they would be the same.
“But for me, 100 percent certainty, I can say 100 percent, I know I wouldn’t be (like my father).
“I love kids and I know even if I were a single mum, to be honest, and I adopted one day, it would have all the love in the world.
“I would love to have a father as well, but I know I can give it absolutely everything and (it) would have all the love and support and I would be completely different.
“That would never, I could never, I could never be (like) that, ever.
“I always said I wanted to have kids, but I want to adopt. So that’s a big wish of mine and passion and I hope to do it one day.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
English (US)