Jelena Dokic thanks Aussie fans for cheering her

Updated on: 22 January,2009 09:55 AM IST |
PA Sport |

Dokic applauds fans for supporting her after renouncing citizenship 7 years ago

Dokic applauds fans for supporting her after renouncing citizenship 7 years ago

An emotional Jelena Dokic scored her first win over a top 20 player in five years when she downed 17th seed Anne Chakvetadze 6-4, 6-7 (7-4), 6-3 in the second round of the Australian Open yesterday.

The 25-year-old, who is known as much for her estranged father Damir's antics during the early part of her career as she is for her tennis, described the crowd's reaction during the thrilling three-setter as "amazing".

Dokic only picked up her racquet again at the end of 2007 after battling depression and other personal issues in the two years prior.

Hot and cold
And while her relationship with Australian fans previously had been hot and cold, particularly when she switched her allegiance back to her native Serbia under the encouragement of her father, there was nothing but love for her out on Rod Laver Arena yesterday.

"I came back two or three years ago to Australia and obviously the crowd, I didn't expect them to be on my side and to understand what happened seven years ago," Dokic said.

"I will regret that decision that I made. I can say that I made it under the influence of my dad but I will regret leaving for the rest of my life. It will always be the mistake that I made.

"But I think tonight was an amazing experience. It's been the best I've ever had."

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