Jelena Dokic: Australian tennis star bravely admits suicide attempt

Australian tennis star Jelena Dokic revealed she tried to take her own life as she opened up about her mental health struggles.

The 39-year-old, who reached a career high of world number four in 2002, wrote a lengthy and emotional Instagram post about her suicide attempt in April.

The post, which was accompanied by a photograph of Dokic in tears, also urged followers to seek professional help if they were battling similar issues.

“I almost took my own life,” Dokic wrote. “Will never forget the day. Everything is blurry. Everything is dark. No tone, no picture, nothing makes sense … just tears, sadness, depression, anxiety and pain.

“The last six months have been tough. It’s been constant crying everywhere. From hiding in the bathroom when at work to wipe away my tears so that nobody sees it to the unstoppable crying at home within my four walls has been unbearable.

“Constant feelings of sadness and pain are just not going away and my life has been shattered. I blame myself, I don’t think I am worthy of loving and I am scared.

“I also know that I still have so many things to be grateful for and then I start to hate myself because by feeling this way I feel like I am not grateful because I mustn’t be since I want to end it all. Such a vicious cycle in my head.”

Dokic then admitted that getting professional help had saved her life, and she was now on the “road to recovery”.

“Some days are better than others and sometimes I take a step forward and then a step back but I’m fighting and I believe I can get through this,” she said.

“I believe in the following: it’s ok to feel what I am feeling. It’s ok to feel sad just keep fighting and come back. That’s what I am trying to do and that’s what keeps me going.

“Don’t be ashamed