Jelena Dokic has lost 20 kilograms. And again, we’re hit with deja vu as she’s inundated with body commentary from trolls and supporters alike. For years, body trolls have dwarfed the achievements of Dokic, arguably one of the best tennis commentators we’ve seen.
She has long been both vocal and powerfully vulnerable about the abuse she has faced at the hands of her ex-coach and father, and from trolls online – the latter focused squarely on her changing body. Now Dokic’s body has changed again. So again, in her signature take-no-prisoners approach, while somehow still coming off as the cool big sister you always needed, she has written a powerful statement about the uninvited online feedback.
“It was always about not judging, shaming and bullying people no matter what their weight and size is and instead highlighting that kindness is what matters not our size,” writes Dokic in a now-viral Instagram post. Her message remains the same: a woman’s weight has no bearing on her worth. But many of us are still missing her point.
Loading Coverage of her full statement inspired messages of support, including: “Well done. Ignore those trying to promote obesity as the new normal.” And: “People wanting fat influencers to promote obesity .
..” Many chimed in to approve of her choice to lose weight.
“She has some very good reasons for losing weight, diabetes and high blood pressure can kill you,” said one. Another offered: “She was a bit too big before. Health.