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Jelena Dokic reveals health scare

Jelena Dokic has been forced to cancel scheduled appearances in Adelaide for the Adelaide International Tennis Tournament after being struck down with a mystery illness. 

The 40-year-old, who has become a major name in sports commentating since retiring from playing tennis in 2014, shared with her fans that she has been rushed home to Melbourne due to a viral infection. 

The former World No. 4 tennis star left Adelaide on the eve of the year’s first grand slam, and hoped she would recover before the start of the Australian Open next week. 

“I have come down with a viral infection and I have to leave and get back home to Melbourne asap,” she wrote on Instagram.

“I am so sad and disappointed as I absolutely love Adelaide and this amazing tournament but I have no choice."

“Off to Melbourne now and hopefully I will be ok soon and by Sunday for the start of the Australian Open. Fingers crossed.”

Jelena was also forced to cancel a book signing in Adelaide, where she was due to meet fans who had purchased her latest book Fearless: Finding the Power to Thrive, which focuses on her ongoing campaign against body shaming and her mental health struggles.

In an interview with Stellar magazine last year, the former tennis player shared how writing the book helped her heal from her past traumas of dealing with an eating disorder, and ongoing abuse at the hands of her father. 

“I actually haven’t talked about my eating disorder (before) because, for so long, I didn’t understand it. But now I know that more than 90 per cent of people that do have eating disorders, it comes from trauma,” Jelena told Stellar. 

“Getting professional help saved my life. I find the eating disorder quite complex. I’m working really hard on it."

“But the writing of the book (Fearless) was a massive step for me because I’ve realised I’m not eating like that anymore. I’ve got more balance now.”

Image credits: Getty Images 

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caring, Jelena Dokic, health, scare, Australian Open