Jelena Dokic’s powerful message

Jelena Dokic has once again taken to social media to share a powerful message about body image.
The tennis star posted a photo of herself wearing a black swimsuit, along with the question, “What is ‘body image’ really ??”
“This is not just about posting a picture in a swimsuit,” Dokic, 41, said.
“This is about my little love handles, cellulite, age, wrinkles and thin hair.
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“But it’s me and I embrace it. We hear ‘body image’ and what is the first thing we think of?
“So many people immediately think of weight, size, kilos, women and shape. But body image is so much more than our weight and size and it doesn’t just affect women.”
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Dokic continued, “Men are affected too. Body image and body positivity is not just about our size, shape and weight but about us as a whole.
“It’s also about our race, gender, skin colour, age, height, face and everything that makes us, us and unique.
“Everyone can experience it and feel insecure, ashamed and not worthy.”
Dokic advised: “If you find yourself feeling negativity about who you are, unworthy and struggling with your body image just know that you are not alone and it’s ok to have those feelings.
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“But just know that if you are struggling with acceptance, loving parts of yourself and embracing yourself that you are so worthy and even more than that, know that you are so worthy of love and acceptance most importantly from yourself.
“Your skin colour, size, shape, height, age, gender and race is what makes you, you,” she continued.
“It’s what makes you special and unique. It’s what makes you amazing. You are amazing as you are.
“You are you and you are worthy. Embrace yourself and be kind to yourself and never allow someone else mean or degrading words and comments about your who you are, to affect you. Know your worth. You are unique. Love, Jelena xoxo”
Dokic has endured years of criticism over her changing body shape, becoming an outspoken advocate for body positivity.
The tennis star now works as a commentator at Nine Entertainment.
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During her time on the professional tennis circuit in the late ’90s and early 2000s she reached world number four.
She later revealed in her books Unbreakable and Fearless her on-court performances were severely impacted by the antics of her father Damir, whom she described as abusive.
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