Dokic's father threatens to blow up embassy

Tennis star Jelena Dokic’s father, Damir, is threatening to blow up the Australian embassy in Belgrade following his daughter's revelations that he physically abused her.
 
The Serbian newspaper, Blic, reported that Damir phoned the Australian ambassador in Belgrade on Tuesday, and also threatened to blow up her car with a grenade launcher if she did not do something about the interview to be published in the Herald's Sport and Style magazine on Thursday.

Damir confirmed his bomb threat in a telephone conversation with a Blic journalist, who also phoned the Herald.

In the exclusive Sport and Style interview, Jelena revealed her father physically abused her during their tumultuous relationship.

Jelena, who is now estranged from her father, told how she fled from her family in 2002 to escape the violence.

After more than a decade of speculation, and bruises seen by coaches and competitors, she confirmed the rumours that have swirled about in tennis circles.

"I've been through a lot worse than anybody on the tour. I can say that with confidence. When you go through stuff like that, playing a tennis match is a pretty easy thing to do. Even if I lose, even if I don't play well, I'll be disappointed but it's not the end of the world,” Jelena said.

"I've been through so much more, been in such difficult positions, that playing a tennis match or having a difficult day is not a big deal for me. It's just the way it makes you," she added.
 
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: "We are aware of a newspaper article along the lines of [a threat having been made by] Damir Dokic, but DFAT does not comment on security matters relating to our staff in overseas missions."