Unbreakable
Nov 2017 · Random House Australia
4.7star
51 reviewsreport
Ebook
320
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About this ebook
"A chilling account." New York Times
SHORTLISTED - Prime Minister's Literary Awards, Non-Fiction 2018
This is a story of Jelena Dokic's survival. How she survived as a refugee, twice. How she survived on the tennis court to become world No. 4. But, most importantly, how she survived her father, Damir Dokic, the tennis dad from hell.
Jelena was a prodigious talent, heralded as Australia's greatest tennis hope since Evonne Goolagong. She had exceptional skills, a steely nerve and an extraordinary ability to fight on the court. Off it she endured huge challenges; being an 'outsider' in her new country, poverty and racism. Still she starred on the tennis court. By 18, she was in the world's top 10. By 19, she was No. 4. The world was charmed by her and her story – a refugee whose family had made Australia home when she was eleven years old.
Jelena has not told a soul her incredible, explosive story in full – until now.
From war-torn Yugoslavia to Sydney to Wimbledon, she narrates her hellish ascent to becoming one of the best tennis players in the women’s game, and her heart-breaking fall from the top. Her gutsy honesty will leave you in awe. Her fight back from darkness will uplift you. Most of all, Jelena's will to survive will inspire you.
_______________________________________________
PRAISE FOR UNBREAKABLE
"A study in what truly makes a champion." Herald Sun
"Unbreakable has the gut-wrenching quality of a Greek myth: a daughter torn between loyalty to her family and her need to break free in order to survive." The Sydney Morning Herald
"A book you will think about for hours after finishing it, and perhaps shed a tear while reading it." Townsville Bulletin
SHORTLISTED - Prime Minister's Literary Awards, Non-Fiction 2018
This is a story of Jelena Dokic's survival. How she survived as a refugee, twice. How she survived on the tennis court to become world No. 4. But, most importantly, how she survived her father, Damir Dokic, the tennis dad from hell.
Jelena was a prodigious talent, heralded as Australia's greatest tennis hope since Evonne Goolagong. She had exceptional skills, a steely nerve and an extraordinary ability to fight on the court. Off it she endured huge challenges; being an 'outsider' in her new country, poverty and racism. Still she starred on the tennis court. By 18, she was in the world's top 10. By 19, she was No. 4. The world was charmed by her and her story – a refugee whose family had made Australia home when she was eleven years old.
Jelena has not told a soul her incredible, explosive story in full – until now.
From war-torn Yugoslavia to Sydney to Wimbledon, she narrates her hellish ascent to becoming one of the best tennis players in the women’s game, and her heart-breaking fall from the top. Her gutsy honesty will leave you in awe. Her fight back from darkness will uplift you. Most of all, Jelena's will to survive will inspire you.
_______________________________________________
PRAISE FOR UNBREAKABLE
"A study in what truly makes a champion." Herald Sun
"Unbreakable has the gut-wrenching quality of a Greek myth: a daughter torn between loyalty to her family and her need to break free in order to survive." The Sydney Morning Herald
"A book you will think about for hours after finishing it, and perhaps shed a tear while reading it." Townsville Bulletin
Ratings and reviews
4.7
51 reviews
Emily Kelsall
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November 19, 2023
I hated when I had to put this book down,couldn't wait to get back to it and thought about it even when I wasn't reading it even though it was so hard to read at times. Unbelievable to imagine what Jelena was going through while we saw her through her career. I have so much compassion for her and hope she continues on her path of health and happiness into her 40's and beyond 💓👏🫶🙏
Fiona Gordon
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October 2, 2023
Wow. I had no idea that any of this was gojng on behind the scenes. I loved watching you play & wished I could play that well. You are a truly amazing & strong person. I'd invite you to stay at my home. All the best for you future. may it shine brightly.
Robert Weir
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October 17, 2024
This story is full of courage and brought home many tears and joy. Jelena your an inspiration to all and I wish you many years of happiness to come in your future endeavors.
About the author
Jelena Dokic (Author)
Jelena Dokic was a prodigious tennis player who made the quarter-finals of Wimbledon at the age of just 16.
She was heralded as Australia’s greatest tennis hope since Evonne Goolagong. She had exceptional skills, a steely nerve and an unrivalled fight on the court.
At 17 she reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon. By September 2000 she became an Olympian and finished fourth at the Sydney Games.
By 18, she was in the world’s top 10.
By 19, she was world No.4, holding her own against Monica Seles, Martina Hingis and Lindsay Davenport. She was the world No.9 in doubles.
She went on to win her first WTA singles title at the Rome Masters in May 2001. She was also a French Open doubles finalist the same year.
A shoulder and wrist injury prematurely finished her tennis career in 2013. One of the only female players to have won a WTA title on all four surfaces Jelena now spends her time mentoring young players. She has a vast amount of knowledge to share - her other career highlights include making her Fed Cup debut as a as a 15 year old - the youngest player ever – and winning both matches. She also won the Hopman Cup with Mark Philippoussis at 15.
As well as mentoring she also enjoys doing media work.
She has worked as a commentator on both Fox Sports News and Channel Seven’s tennis coverage.
She currently lives in Melbourne.
Jess Halloran (Author)
Jessica Halloran is an award-winning senior sports writer with News Corp.
Her love of sport was piqued as a little girl while watching her dad playing country footy every weekend in Shepparton and surrounding town ovals.
She started her journalism career as a cadet at the Sydney Morning Herald and now covers sport for the Sunday Telegraph.
For over sixteen years she has reported from some of the largest sporting events including Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Australian Opens, world athletics and swimming championships, NRL and AFL finals series and interviewed some of Australia and the world's biggest sports stars.
Jessica has forged a reputation for in-depth interviews and emotive profile stories.
She covered Jelena Dokic’s incredible comeback at the 2009 Australian Open. Her first profile of Jelena saw Jessica win an Australian Sports Commission award for best sports feature writing.
Jessica has also been a Walkley Award and a Kennedy Award finalist.
She lives in Sydney with her husband and their two children.
Jelena Dokic was a prodigious tennis player who made the quarter-finals of Wimbledon at the age of just 16.
She was heralded as Australia’s greatest tennis hope since Evonne Goolagong. She had exceptional skills, a steely nerve and an unrivalled fight on the court.
At 17 she reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon. By September 2000 she became an Olympian and finished fourth at the Sydney Games.
By 18, she was in the world’s top 10.
By 19, she was world No.4, holding her own against Monica Seles, Martina Hingis and Lindsay Davenport. She was the world No.9 in doubles.
She went on to win her first WTA singles title at the Rome Masters in May 2001. She was also a French Open doubles finalist the same year.
A shoulder and wrist injury prematurely finished her tennis career in 2013. One of the only female players to have won a WTA title on all four surfaces Jelena now spends her time mentoring young players. She has a vast amount of knowledge to share - her other career highlights include making her Fed Cup debut as a as a 15 year old - the youngest player ever – and winning both matches. She also won the Hopman Cup with Mark Philippoussis at 15.
As well as mentoring she also enjoys doing media work.
She has worked as a commentator on both Fox Sports News and Channel Seven’s tennis coverage.
She currently lives in Melbourne.
Jess Halloran (Author)
Jessica Halloran is an award-winning senior sports writer with News Corp.
Her love of sport was piqued as a little girl while watching her dad playing country footy every weekend in Shepparton and surrounding town ovals.
She started her journalism career as a cadet at the Sydney Morning Herald and now covers sport for the Sunday Telegraph.
For over sixteen years she has reported from some of the largest sporting events including Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Australian Opens, world athletics and swimming championships, NRL and AFL finals series and interviewed some of Australia and the world's biggest sports stars.
Jessica has forged a reputation for in-depth interviews and emotive profile stories.
She covered Jelena Dokic’s incredible comeback at the 2009 Australian Open. Her first profile of Jelena saw Jessica win an Australian Sports Commission award for best sports feature writing.
Jessica has also been a Walkley Award and a Kennedy Award finalist.
She lives in Sydney with her husband and their two children.
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