Jelena Dokic has made the startling admission that she doesn’t hate father Damir despite the shocking abuse he inflicted on her. And the Australian tennis hero has revealed the media didn’t initially take her complaints seriously when the abuse first started.

Dokic has previously lifted the lid on some of the shocking treatment she copped from father and former coach Damir, who she hasn’t spoken to in 10 years. One particularly awful incident saw Dokic knocked unconscious after Damir kicked her in the head.

But in a powerful hour-long speech to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, the former World No.4-turned TV commentator said speaking up about her torment had helped save her. “We have been taught so often that vulnerability is a weakness … but in fact, to be vulnerable takes so much guts and courage,” the 41-year-old said.

“Vulnerability has allowed me to really be open about everything that I’m going through and get professional help for the very first time after 15 years. It saved my life. It gave me the ability to go on every single day and then recover and actually be here today.”

Why Jelena Dokic doesn’t hate father Damir

Dokic, who is a much-loved commentator and analyst on Channel 9, has outlined the abuse she suffered throughout her childhood and playing career in two books and a recently-released documentary. On Wednesday, she said the behaviour of her father was initially not taken seriously enough in the media, and shockingly admitted she doesn’t hate Damir despite all he did.

“It was made fun of. It was in the papers as a joke,” she said. “There was no concern for two underage kids (including her brother) going home with this person.

“People are shocked when I say I don’t hate my father. I don’t hate him, I don’t necessarily forgive him. There is no hate, bitterness or resentment towards the media, even the trolls. I am not a hateful, bitter, resentful person. I went through what I went through, but I survived and I’m thriving today for a reason.”

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Jelena Dokic speech shows how far she’s come

Dokic’s speech on Wednesday and her prowess with the microphone come in stark contrast to when “couldn’t string two sentences together” a decade ago. “Eleven years ago I was in bed, without the ability to get up,” she said. “Deep in depression. I had no social skills left. Couldn’t string two sentences together. Couldn’t look people in the eye. Trust me I didn’t know I could write or speak.

“Today I clearly can’t shut up. And I’m known at Channel 9 as someone that can talk underwater, which is a good thing, trust me. Whenever there’s a problem, it’s ‘don’t worry, Jelena has it covered’ and I’m proud of that. Because I could not string two sentences together 11 years ago. But belief of other people got me there. It really did. So believe in someone. You never know.”

And she’ll keep speaking out when she thinks there’s something worth addressing. “Let’s create safe spaces and environments. Let’s support people,” she said. “Most importantly the day that we stop talking about the most important issues in our society and we turn our backs to them, that’s when our world and our society ends. Sharing my story, telling the truth, not being silent saved my life. No shame, no judgement, no stigma, but also no silence.”

Dokic’s speech on Wednesday was the talk of social media. Fans and commentators sent an outpouring of support to the Australian tennis hero, commending her on the powerful and brave address.

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with AAP