Written and Directed by Jessica Halloran and Ivan O’Mahoney

I shrieked liked Sharapova on centre court when the invitation to watch and review Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story arrived in my email mailbox. 

Before Jelena became the mental health crusader she is today, I first learned of her and some of her story during her resurgent and riveting Australian Open campaign in 2009. The little I knew of her story and this inspiring run, as well as Serena Williams’ remarkable against-all-odds 2007 Australian Open triumph, are the reasons I first fell in love with tennis. 

When Jelena published her autobiography, Unbreakable, in late 2017, I felt compelled to buy a copy and read it, despite the fact I am hardly a book reader. My heart broke in two several times over for so many reasons reading this brutally honest autobiography. To learn of the verbal and physical abuse Jelena suffered at the hands of her destructive father who ought to have nurtured his prodigious daughter. The brave and contrary front she needed to put on publicly. The sheer lack of help, support, and the fact that not one person intervened. To experience and endure everything that she did without a single confidante or one true and constant friend in her life during what was meant to be her childhood.

At just 1 year of age apart, also living in Australia, and playing tennis at Melbourne Park myself (amateur competition only), I wished so much that I somehow could have been in Jelena’s life when she needed a friend like me to be there for her. A person she could confide anything to without judgement or fear, and with complete trust. An ear always willing to listen. A hug when one needs to feel another human being cares for them. If only. This is also what broke my heart and still does. 

If you have read Unbreakable or followed tennis closely enough throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, then you will also know that despite everything going on behind closed doors (and eventually publicly too!), Jelena Dokic quite remarkably still managed to be hugely successful on the tennis court. What would easily be enough to break many unquestionably made this warrior of a woman truly unbreakable. 

Placing all personal bias aside, Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story is truly an ace documentary. It brings heartfelt written text in Jelena’s book and elevates it to screen courtesy of several insightful interviews with former tennis champions such as Lindsay Davenport and Pam Shriver, channel 9 co-commentator Todd Woodbridge, and of course with Jelena Dokic herself. Through these discussions, viewers truly receive a reflective juxtaposition of precisely what was occurring where cameras were not present versus what was captured on and said to cameras. The two could not be more polar opposite. These interviews and real footage are expertly constructed, edited, and presented to a fine quality worthy of cinema. 

Though I know this isn’t the place to reside, thoughts of what could have been circulated in my mind all over again watching this documentary feature. If she could play this brilliantly and surge to the top 4 at such a young age while under immense pressure and oppression, just imagine what she might have been able to accomplish throughout her career if her personal environment had been a safe, loving, and supportive space. This is a woman who truly deserves all of the success she is capable of.

Thankfully, the accomplishments she is acquiring since retiring and especially of late mean more to her than any success on the tennis court. Being an advocate for and playing an active role in supporting so many others going through their own mental health battles is something Jelena is incredibly passionate about and understands better than most. I follow Jelena closely on social media, so do know more about her post-tennis journey than is captured in this documentary. I was even fortunate to meet her in person at her new book signing. What a highlight that was. Regardless of how much you may know about her life after tennis; to know she is not only a survivor but a thriver who through her own inner-strength and resilience has forged a new meaningful chapter and second career in her life is simply an inspiration.

Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story is showing in cinemas across Australia from November 7th.

Moviedoc thanks Roadshow Films for providing a screener link to watch and review this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

Follow on Twitter – Moviedoc / LIKE on Facebook – @moviedoc13 / Follow on Instagram – moviedoc_melbourne / Follow on TikTok – @moviedoc4

©