Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Jelena Dokics estranged father Damir vowed not to watch any more of her matches at the Australian Open after his daughter ruled out any chances of reconciling with him.
I will neither travel to Australia nor watch the matches here in Serbia on television after she said that she wouldnt see me and that we are finished, said Damir on Monday.
I had every intention of going to Melbourne but it wont happen because I honestly believe I would never be allowed into the grounds in Melbourne. I am devastated by Jelenas comments because I brought her up,I bought her the first tennis racket she took in her hands and coached her to become the world number four.
He added that health problems were also preventing him making the trip to Australia. During her fourth-round win over (Russias) Alisa Kleybanova,I suffered a recurring fit caused by a high blood sugar level and doctors had to come to my house to give me an injection of insulin, he said.
With my health problems,it would be too much of a risk to watch the live television coverage of the event and I certainly wont make the trip to Australia only to be told by the organisers that I cant enter the tennis grounds.
Tournament officials in Melbourne confirmed that while Damir Dokic was free to purchase tickets like any other visitor at Melbourne Park,he would not be allowed to make any contact with his daughter without her permission.
Damir Dokic will not be accredited or allowed into any official area of Melbourne Park without the express permission of Jelena, tournament organiser Craig Tiley said.
I will speak to the British tennis federation and ask them to allow me to watch this years Wimbledon and I hope they will respond positively because I am not under any sort of ban, he said. I am not a drunkard either and I will not go there to cause any problems,I just want to follow Jelenas progress.
