LIFE’S GOOD AGAIN FOR JELENA

“I T’S BETTER, BUT EVEN ONCE I T’S BETTER, THEN I T’S DEALING WITH SIDE EFFECTS AND GETTING BACK I NTO NORMAL LIFE.”

As the one-time great white hope of Australian women’s tennis comes back into the spotlight, Jelena Dokic is mentally and physically strong.

She’s in a good place.

Settling back in Melbourne, she is excited by the release of her autobiography,

Unbreakable, and what the future holds. Jelena is heavily involved in motivational speaking, will provide expert commentary during the summer for Fox Sports’ tennis coverage and is a brand ambassador for weight loss drink LadyShake.

Her turbulent years on the tennis circuit have been well documented, but she has had other battles away from the court since retiring in 2013.

She has suffered from a debilitating thyroid condition, hyperthyroidism, that meant her weight ballooned from 60kg to 120kg, making her constantly fatigued.

It was a frustrating period that was only overcome by sticking to a strict diet and exercise regimen – and a whole lot of patience.

“It was a battle for a few years,” Jelena tells Weekend.

“It’s better, but even once it’s better, then it’s dealing with side effects and getting back into normal life.

“But I’m getting fitter and getting better.” Still a tennis fan at heart, she has enjoyed watching the resurgence of Queenslander Ashleigh Barty, who took time off to play cricket but has returned to become Australia’s number one female player.

“She’s come from 320, 330 11 months ago,” Jelena says of the young star now ranked 17 in the world and sure to be our great hope at the Australian Open.

“I always like watching her play. I definitely think she can do even better.”