Tennis

Jelena Dokic's harrowing autobiography, "Unbreakable," is set to be brought to life on the big screen in a powerful documentary film. The film, also titled "Unbreakable," delves into the depths of Dokic's tumultuous journey, marked by both triumph and adversity.Dokic's autobiography, released in 2017, laid bare the physical and emotional abuse she endured at the hands of her father, Damir Dokic. The film chronicles her upbringing as the daughter of Croatian immigrants in Australia, her rise to tennis stardom, and the dark secrets that haunted her behind closed doors.The documentary features insights from tennis legends Pam Shriver and Lindsay Davenport, who witnessed Dokic's struggles firsthand. Journalist Christopher Clarey candidly reflects on the media's failure to uncover the truth during Dokic's early career."I'm 16 years old here, playing the world No. 1 Martina Hingis," Dokic narrates in the film's trailer. "I knew that if I lost, the consequences would be catastrophic."Now 41, Dokic has emerged as a beacon of hope for survivors of domestic violence. The documentary captures her emotional comeback to tennis, including her remarkable run to the Australian Open quarterfinals in 2009."To be able to tell my story but on screen is so powerful so I can’t wait for that to come out," Dokic said.The film, which has been in production for three years, will premiere in Australian theaters in November. It will be released worldwide on streaming platforms in 2025.

Alexander Zverev Case Dropped After Settlement and FinesGerman tennis star Alexander Zverev has avoided a criminal conviction after reaching an out-of-court settlement with his former partner, Brenda Patea. The Berlin District Court dismissed the case on Friday, following Zverev's agreement to pay fines totaling 200,000 euros ($218,000).Zverev was facing charges of causing bodily harm to Patea during an argument in Berlin in May 2020. Prosecutors alleged that he pushed her against a wall and choked her, but Zverev denied any wrongdoing. The case went to trial after Zverev contested a penalty order issued in October, which required him to pay fines of 450,000 euros ($490,000).However, the trial was halted after lawyers for Zverev and Patea reached an agreement to end their disputes. Judge Barbara Lüders stated that the former couple wished to move forward and focus on their joint custody of their child.Zverev, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, did not appear in court on Friday as he was scheduled to play in the semifinals of the Roland Garros tournament. Patea testified as a witness in a closed session.The settlement includes fines of 150,000 euros to the state and 50,000 euros to charitable organizations. Zverev has expressed relief at the outcome of the case and stated that he is eager to put the matter behind him.