Radio Australia Today Editorial

Jelena Dokic ends her Australian Open run

28 January 2009

And what a run it’s been.

Jelena Dokic has charged through this year’s Australian Open tennis tournament against all expectations, wininng through to the fourth round, where she met another woman on fire, Russsian Dinara Safina.

Dokic did pretty well though.  One set all, and a tight final set, and Dokic was a real chance to become the first Australian woman to play an Australian Open semi final for many many years.

In the end it didn’t happen. She wanted it. The crowd, aware of the 25 year old’s tortuous family and personal history, wanted it. Even her opponent Safina, according to the papers this morning, wanted her to do well.

I was watching as the last point was won by Safina. The incredibly partisan crowd did not erupt in applause when Safina won what was a fine match. Their eyes and hearts were with the loser who, after shaking hands with Safina and the umpire, left the court, head down and on the edge of tears.

The crowd’s reaction was understandable. They wanted a fairytale. They wanted another 1983 America’s Cup. They wanted another Pat Cash US Open win. They wanted to go home smiling. But the impression we got watching the telecast at home was of a crowd that was ungracious.

Much more gracious was the winner. Safina, in a post match interview, won the crowd over with her honesty and her understanding of how the crowd supported her opponent. The partisan crowd applauded her comments.

And that, my friends, made for a lovely ending to one wild ride of a night.

As for Dokic, she will be a force. She has been through so much in her 25 years, that she would have to be one strong person with a big tennis future. Watch her space.

                                                – Phil