Dokic dumps Australia in Open

Dokic, 17, said Tennis Australia should have taken steps to protect her from such a difficult opening-round match.

‘‘I’m No 1 in Australia, and yet I have to play Lindsay Davenport. That was one of the reasons for my decision,’’ she said on Saturday. ‘‘And also I’ve been unhappy with the media coverage.’’

Damir Dokic, who moved his family from Yugoslavia to Australia six years ago, has repeatedly made headlines for his unpredictable behaviour. He was expelled from last year’s Wimbledon and US Open, and the WTA Tour banned him until March.

In the latest outburst, he questioned the computer draw that gave his daughter such a tough opening match.

Geoff Pollard, president of Tennis Australia, dismissed Damir Dokic’s allegation that the draw was rigged.

‘‘That’s just the way it came out,’’ Pollard said. ‘‘The draw was done publicly in front of players and media. He should know that all draws are done the same way. It’s the luck of the draw you get good draws, you get bad draws. She has had good ones and bad ones before.’’

Dokic said she plans to move from Sydney to Florida. She received a Yugoslav passport in November after travelling on an Australian passport for four years.

In the wake of the latest controversy involving the family, Davenport expressed sympathy for her first-round opponent.

‘‘That’s a little bit of a shame,’’ Davenport said. ‘‘I don’t think it has a lot to do with her, though. She seems like really nice girl, and maybe there are some unfortunate circumstances there.’’