Jelena Dokic to miss Australian season

Jelena Dokic, darling of the 2009 Australian Open, is forced to skip the 2013 Australian season due to the recovery process from the wrist surgery she has undergone. The date of her return is not known yet. The queen of Australian Open wildcards (that’s how one Tennis Forum member called her :-)), has not played since retiring with a right wrist injury against Galina Voskoboeva in the first round of Charleston in April. A month earlier she also pulled out with the injury, against Gisela Dulko at Indian Wells.

The height of Dokic’s career was in 2002 when she was No.4 in the world, but her family troubles pushed her tennis career down the slope. The 2009 season was her first Top 100 season since 2003 and besides the quarterfinal run at the Australian Open that year, Dokic’s resurgence was celebrated with the 2010 Kuala Lumpur title. After finishing 2010 ranked 135th, in 2011 Dokic reclaimed her Top 100 ranking and even though throughout the year she struggled with various ailments, she started 2012 ranked 66th. Now obstacles are again slowing down the Australian, who will turn 30 next year. But, in today’s women’s tennis it’s never too late to strike back! Fast recovery, Jelena! (photo: Ralf Reinecke)