Jelena Dokic has broken her silence after sparking engagement rumours when she was photographed wearing a large diamond ring on her left hand, saying she and her new partner are navigating publicity and privacy together.
The 42-year-old former tennis player told Stellar Magazine that the central concern for her now is the wellbeing and privacy of her partner, Yane Veselinov. "He's not anonymous anymore. We talk about that a lot and I want to make sure that he's OK, that he doesn't feel like [his] privacy was invaded," she said. "I've been in the spotlight since the age of 12, so it's very different for me. The most important thing is that we're happy. I've had to do a lot of healing, a lot of soul-searching."
Dokic, who rose to prominence as a teenage tennis prodigy and later represented Australia at grand slam tournaments, split from long-time partner Tin Bikic in 2022 after 19 years together. In the interview she said the end of that relationship left her re-evaluating major life decisions, including whether she wanted to become a mother and whether to consider adoption.
Reports of a possible engagement intensified after Dokic was seen wearing a sizeable diamond on her ring finger. In the interview she neither confirmed nor denied an engagement, instead focusing on how public attention affects those close to her and on her personal recovery. "I gave up on a lot of things, personally, as a woman and had to decide whether I wanted to be a mother, whether I wanted to adopt," she said, describing an extended period of reflection following her split.
Dokic has been a prominent figure in sports and media for decades, known for candid commentary on her career and personal life. Her openness about the challenges of being in the public eye has drawn attention previously, and the recent photographs renewed media focus on her private life. She emphasized that, while she is accustomed to publicity, her partner is not, and that protecting his privacy is an ongoing concern.
In recent years Dokic has balanced media work with speaking about mental health and resilience, themes she reiterated in the Stellar interview. She said she is now prioritizing happiness and healing, and remains mindful of the impact publicity can have on relationships. The former player and commentator did not announce any formal changes to her personal status in the interview, and gave no timeline for any potential future announcements.