Meet Australian tennis champ and author Jelena Dokic

Council invites keen readers and sports fans to join international tennis champion and author Jelena Dokic at the Maroochy RSL, Maroochydore, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Thursday, November 30.

Jelena will discuss her new autobiographical release, Unbreakable, in this special literary event which is part of a series of Sunshine Coast Libraries author talks hosted at various locations across the region.

She will explore themes of heartbreak, hope and survival with special guest co-author and Australian award-winning journalist, Jessica Halloran.

Jelena was a prodigious talent, heralded as Australia's greatest tennis hope since Evonne Goolagong.

She had exceptional skills, a steely nerve and an extraordinary ability to fight on the court.

Off it she endured huge challenges, including being an “outsider” in her new country, poverty and racism.

Still she starred on the tennis court and by 18, she was in the world's top 10.

By 19, she was ranked No. 4.

The world was charmed by her and her story – a refugee whose family had made Australia home when she was 11-years-old.

Unbreakable is a story of Jelena Dokic's survival.

How she survived as a refugee, twice.

How she survived on the tennis court to become world No. 4.

But most importantly, how she survived her volatile father, Damir Dokic.

Jelena has not told a soul about her incredible, explosive story in full – until now.

From war-torn Yugoslavia to Sydney to Wimbledon, she narrates her hellish ascent to becoming one of the best tennis players in the women’s game, and her heart-breaking fall from the top.

Unbreakable will resonate with readers and fans of Australian survival stories.

Jelena’s book will be available for purchase at the venue.

Tickets are $25 per person and bookings are a must via council’s library website. Enjoy live music by talented local artist Josh Curtis.

Light refreshments are provided and cash bar will be available.