Jelena Dokic’s abusive father, Damir, has died.

The Australia tennis legend and former world No.4 announced the news on her Instagram account, while also calling for privacy.

Jelena said Damir — believed to be 67 — passed away in the late hours of last Friday night.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Damir Dokic passes away.

During her rise to the top 10 of world tennis, the Serbian coach was a domineering figure in Jelena’s teenage years and his hostile antics (he was banned from several tournaments, including the Australian Open) became infamous on the world tennis scene.

Jelena said she had complex and conflicting emotions about her father’s death.

“My father passed away in the late hours on 16.05.2025,” she wrote.

“As you know my relationship with my father has been difficult and painful with a lot of history.

“Despite everything and no matter how hard, difficult and in the last 10 years even non existent our relationship and communication was, it is never easy losing a parent and a father even one you are estranged from.

“The loss of an estranged parent comes with a difficult and complicated grief.

“It’s an end of a chapter and life as I know it.

“There are lots of conflicting and complex emotions and feelings for me.

“For the end of this chapter, I choose to focus on a good memory like this picture.

“And as always and especially important to who I am as a person and what I want to stand for which is respect, grace, kindness, dignity and empathy, I will and want to be that person in this situation too.

“For now, I will leave it there. Please respect mine and the rest of my family’s privacy at this time.

“Thank you to so many of you for checking in on me over the last few days and for being here for me while I navigate this difficult and complicated situation.“And my final words. RIP 🕊️”

Damir was banned from the Australian Open in 2001 after an outburst where he claimed the draw “was fixed”.

He was also banned from the US Open in 2000 after throwing a piece of fish at a hospitality staffer in the venue (he thought the $10 fish was too small).

He also spent time in jail in 2009 for possessing illegal weapons. He was arrested after he used a hand grenade to threaten Clare Birgin, the Australian ambassador to Serbia of the time.

Jelena has outlined the abuse she sustained from her father in two books, as well as a documentary.

In the documentary that aired earlier this year, the former Wimbledon semi-finalist spoke about how her father beat her unconscious to the point that she could not walk.

“I remember he was so mad that he goes into the bathroom with me, locks the door, and he beat the crap out of me,” she said.

“He slammed my head against the wall multiple times. He was kicking me. My shins were so bruised, I couldn’t walk.

“He actually punches me in the head. And then I went unconscious for a little bit. He also stepped on my head as well.”

Jelena has often spoken about the mental toll Damir’s abuse took on her, while campaigning for other victim-survivors.

“People are shocked when I say I don’t hate my father. I don’t hate him, I don’t necessarily forgive him,” she once said about Damir.

“Sharing my story, telling the truth, not being silent saved my life. No shame, no judgement, no stigma, but also no silence.”