Damir Dokić is a Serbian-born tennis coach, infamous for his abusive behavior towards his daughter, former tennis star Jelena Dokić. Born in the 1950s in Croatia, he gained notoriety for his violent and controversial actions, both on and off the tennis court. A self-proclaimed veteran of the Croatian War of Independence, he was involved in multiple incidents that led to his ban from major tennis tournaments, arrests, and even imprisonment.
This article delves into Damir Dokić’s life, background, criminal history, relationship with Jelena Dokić, and his current status as of 2025.
Damir Dokić Short Details
| Full Name | Damir Dokić |
|---|---|
| Birth Year | 1950s |
| Place of Birth | Croatia (formerly Yugoslavia) |
| Nationality | Serbian |
| Profession | Former Tennis Coach, Brandy Manufacturer |
| Known For | Coaching Jelena Dokić, Abusive Behavior, Controversies, Imprisonment |
| Military Background | Fought on the side of Serbian forces in the Croatian War of Independence |
| Criminal Charges | Threatening Australian ambassador with a hand grenade, Illegal possession of weapons, Public endangerment |
| Prison Sentence | 15 months (later reduced to 12 months, released in 2010) |
Early Life and Career
Damir Dokić was born in Croatia (formerly Yugoslavia) in the 1950s. He claims to have fought in the Croatian War of Independence on the side of Serbian separatists.
After the war, he moved to Australia with his family, where his daughter Jelena Dokić began her promising tennis career. Damir took on the role of her coach and manager, but instead of being a supportive father, he became one of the most abusive and controversial figures in tennis history.
Damir Dokić’s Abusive Behavior and Controversies
1. Physical and Emotional Abuse of Jelena Dokić
Damir subjected Jelena to years of physical and verbal abuse, which she later detailed in her autobiography ‘Unbreakable’ (2017). Some of the horrific incidents include:
- Beating her unconscious after a tennis match loss.
- Slamming her head against the wall and kicking her while she was down.
- Forcing her to change national allegiances from Australia to Yugoslavia under the threat of violence.
- Controlling every aspect of her career through fear and intimidation.
2. Outbursts and Bans from Tennis Tournaments
Damir Dokić became notorious for his violent outbursts at tennis tournaments, which resulted in multiple bans:
- 2000 US Open: He was banned after throwing a piece of fish at a cafeteria worker, claiming he was overcharged.
- 2001 Australian Open: Banned for verbally abusing officials and accusing the tournament of rigging the draw against Jelena.
- 2002 Australian Open: Kia Motors featured him in advertisements as a joke, which sparked backlash.
3. Criminal Offenses and Imprisonment
In June 2009, Damir was arrested and sentenced to 15 months in prison for:
- Threatening the Australian ambassador to Serbia (Clare Birgin) with a hand grenade.
- Illegal possession of weapons.
- Public endangerment.
He appealed, and his sentence was reduced to 12 months, but he was finally released in April 2010.
Damir Dokić’s Relationship with Jelena Dokić
Jelena Dokić has completely cut ties with her father. In a 2023 interview, she revealed that she had not spoken to him in over a decade and that he never apologized for his abusive actions.
She stated:
“I think no matter what happens, you kind of hope that maybe you can salvage a relationship when it comes to family. But it’s very hard when someone doesn’t have any remorse or can’t say sorry. In fact, what he says is that he would do it all again. I had to make a cut and go.”
Despite years of suffering under his control, Jelena has rebuilt her life as an author, commentator, and mental health advocate.
Where is Damir Dokić Now? (2025 Update)
As of 2025, Damir Dokić is believed to be living in Serbia, away from the public eye. He continues to manufacture Eagle Brandy, a plum and pear liquor, but has not been actively involved in tennis or in his daughter’s life.
He remains one of the most infamous figures in tennis history, known for his abusive behavior, violent outbursts, and criminal record.
Lesser-Known Facts About Damir Dokić
- He served jail time for threatening an ambassador with a hand grenade.
- He was banned from multiple Grand Slams due to his aggressive behavior.
- He forced Jelena to represent Yugoslavia instead of Australia, leading to her being booed at the Australian Open.
- He physically beat Jelena after a match loss, including slamming her head against the wall.
- He once accused the Australian Open of rigging the tournament against his daughter.
- In 2000, he threw a fish at a cafeteria worker at the US Open and got banned.
- He appeared in a Kia Motors advertisement in 2002 mocking his past misbehavior.
- Despite multiple bans, he continued to cause problems in the tennis world until Jelena distanced herself from him.
- He claimed that he would repeat his abusive actions, showing no remorse.
- He has never apologized to Jelena Dokić for the years of abuse she endured.
FAQs About Damir Dokić
Q1: Who is Damir Dokić?
A: Damir Dokić is a Serbian former tennis coach, best known for being the abusive father of tennis star Jelena Dokić.
Q2: What crimes did Damir Dokić commit?
A: He was imprisoned for 15 months (later reduced to 12) for threatening an Australian ambassador with a hand grenade and illegal possession of weapons.
Q3: Why was Damir Dokić banned from tennis tournaments?
A: He was banned from the US Open (2000) for throwing food at a worker, and the Australian Open (2001) for abusive behavior and accusations against tournament organizers.
Q4: Did Damir Dokić apologize to Jelena Dokić?
A: No. He has never apologized and has claimed he would do it all over again.
Q5: Where is Damir Dokić now?
A: As of 2025, he is believed to be living in Serbia, running his Eagle Brandy business, and staying away from public life.
Q6: How did Jelena Dokić escape from her father’s control?
A: She cut all ties with him, changed her nationality back to Australia in 2005, and later wrote about her experience in her memoir ‘Unbreakable’.
Q7: What was the worst abuse Jelena Dokić suffered from her father?
A: She revealed in interviews that he once beat her unconscious by slamming her head against a wall, kicking her, and stepping on her head.
Conclusion
Damir Dokić remains a controversial and infamous figure in the tennis world, remembered not for his coaching abilities but for his violent and abusive actions. His toxic control over Jelena Dokić’s career nearly destroyed her, but she has since rebuilt her life and become an inspiration for many.
While Jelena has moved on, Damir remains isolated, having never expressed remorse for his past actions.
“NOTE: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify details independently from reliable sources.”
