Tuesday
3rd September. 2002-
Jelena Dokic in exclusive interview talks
about politics and tennis.
Jelena
Dokic gave an interview to National daily newspapers. Jelena came to Belgrade
after being defeated in the second round of US OPEN. Lets take a look at what
Jelena has to say:
Nobody here wanted to solve my land problem. I wanted to
obtain the building permission for my house. Many individuals were promising
help when I took Yugoslav passport. I am very disappointed. My feelings will not
change the decision to stay and live in Belgrade city. I am glad that I gave
support to Vojislav Seselj because the decision came from my hart. I am
not a member of the Serbian Radical Party. I am a fan of SRS. Thus I don’t see
what’s wrong if I publicly say what I think. Our (Yugoslav) media accepted my
statement as if I did something terribly wrong.
Were you surprised with the sharp public reaction?
I was disappointed with the fact that many media did not
publish content of my letter. They did comment the letter by attacking my family
and me. I do have certain understanding for them because I heard they are facing
censorship. I am very sorry though that the media are trying to turn the public
against myself.
Your father announced your presence at the SRS promotional
meeting on September 25 in Belgrade.
I am not quite sure about my schedule. Of course I will
come if it is possible.
Did the treatment of foreign media and officials change
because of the fact that you are world number four at the moment?
Nothing has changed. It does not matter if I am number
hundred, number twenty or number one in the world, for them I am still a Serbian
girl. I am aware that one who did not experience such a treatment would have
troubles in understanding my situation- what is going on around me, but believe
me, it is not pleasant. For example, when US open started I was fourth player in
the world. They (tournament officials) decided to rank me as a fifth runner up
without giving me any explanation.
Did you expect you would enter top five this season?
I hoped I would be in the top ten. I am a bit surprised by
the great success- entering the top five. It is not so hard to climb this high. What
is hard is to stay in this position. I hope to stay in the top ten until the end of
the season. I plan to stay in top for at least few years.
What elements of your game you can improve in order to get
to the very peak?
It is very hard question. I have a lot to improve since I
am not satisfied with my serve. I would have to approach the net much more
during the game.
What about the injuries. Why did that happen?
Late in the last year I had a big break. I did not prepare
myself properly for the comeback. I did many tournaments this year so I was
under enormous pressure.
Will you play for the Yugoslav national team?
I am taking a pause. I may play for Yugoslav team in about a
year. Anyway I would love to play for Yugoslavia.
V. Niskanovic
Disappointed with the media coverage of
some fan website/s, first Serbian website dedicated to Jelena Dokic and official
website of YUTAF condemns the attitudes and the censorship of those so called
fan website/s. Our website had to be raised again so we can establish clear
picture over what is happening with Jelena and her career. |