MELBOURNE: There's the tennis, and then there's the on court interview.
Sometimes the latter can be the superior spectator sport.
Post-match chats with sweaty, exhausted players have taken on a life of their own at the Australian Open.
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Jim Courier interviews Alex de Minaur at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty
A star fuming at the chair umpire and smashing racquets can turn on the charm offensive in front of the microphone five minutes later.
Only the winning player gets interviewed on court with the loser usually facing the press pack after they've cooled down inside.
Sometimes they can be cheesy, sure, and not everyone loves them.
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But they have undoubtedly provided some of the most memorable, entertaining and most viewed moments of this tournament.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka turning Rod Laver Arena into a dancefloor with Jelena Dokic.
Five time grand slam champion Iga Swiatek drawing boos for her views on brews.
Danielle Collins with a 'kiss my butt' before thanking her haters for a "big, fat pay cheque" that will fund a girls cruise in the Bahamas.
And of course the Novak Djokovic walk off that left Jim Courier at the altar and a massive global audience stunned.
It's an art form, a sport unto itself, and a nerve jangling rollercoaster, Dokic tells Wide World of Sports inside Nine's busy broadcasting compound.
Jelena Dokic looks on in the match between Elena Rybakina and Victoria Azarenka. Getty
WHEN DID IT BECOME A THING?
Dokic, a former world No.4, retired in 2013 before bravely baring her soul and forging a successful media career.
"We didn't really do many when I played. It was only at grand slams and on centre court so it was a bit different," the 41-year-old says.
"Now they happen pretty much at every tournament. We get access to players where we can interview them in lead up events and outside courts. I don't really look at it as an interview or even a Q and A – I just approach it as a chat.
"I'm honoured to be able to do it and that people trust me to do it."
Aryna Sabalenka reacts in her post match interview with Jelena Dokic. Getty
HOW JELENA PREPARES HER QUESTIONS
Like all professional tennis players, Dokic used to spend countless hours not only hitting balls, but analysing the strengths and weaknesses of her next opponent.
The preparation for an on court interview is much the same.
But instead of breaking down a player, she's now getting them to open up.
"Of course you are talking about the moment and the tennis but I like to bring a fun element to it," Dokic says.
Paula Badosa of Spain during her post-match interview after defeating Coco Gauff. Getty
"I like to ask things that are non-tennis related and people watching might find out something about the player that they didn't know.
"Get to know their personality. I do research but I also adjust depending on the match. It's very different if someone's won a match very comfortably, or a massive three setter, or if they've had an upset and they beat a seed or or a top player.
"I usually have four or five questions ready. Sometimes you might have a player that doesn't like to talk a lot, and that's OK.
"But the players that do like to talk, you might only get through two or three of the questions. So you have to adjust. I always have my staple two or three that I can go to but what I've really learned is to try and listen to their answers as well.
Jim Courier attempts to interview Novak Djokovic of Serbia. Getty
"Sometimes that happens and you have a last moment idea."
Regardless of whether she gets through two or five questions, Dokic will have one non-tennis option up her sleeve.
Like a comedian, it can be difficult coming up with new material if she is repeatedly talking to a player making a deep run in the tournament.
"Social media is very helpful there. Maybe they like to read, enjoy music or went somewhere interesting in the off-season," she says.
"I'll read articles about their last six months, maybe challenges or injuries that they are going through. You've got to be ready for some very different personalities."
Jelena Dokic of Australia in action at Wimbledon. Getty
OVERCOMING STAGE FRIGHT
Dokic is now a seasoned pro in front of the camera but broadcasting live to millions understandably remains a nerve racking experience.
But more stressful than preparing to play a big match?
"The same nerves but in a different way," she says.
"Playing tennis I felt in control. I can win or lose, but I'm doing something that I've done my whole life. I'm more comfortable with this job now because I do it all the time but there's always nerves."
Jelena Dokic in action at the 2012 Sydney International. Getty
She views it as an enormous privilege to be the first person a player speaks to after winning a huge match at a grand slam tournament.
"The emotion is unreal – I mean it can be 30 seconds after they reach a semi-final. So it's something very special," Dokic says.
"I think it's good to get nervous. Nerves means that that you do care and you want to do a good job."
KNOWING YOUR BOUNDARIES
Any self respecting soap opera needs a sprinkling of romance and, like most workplaces, the tennis world has its fair share of player relationships.
Some can't wait to race to Instagram and announce the details of their latest match.
Some can think of nothing worse and attempt to keep their personal life secret and away from prying eyes.
Put bluntly, sex sells, and TV audiences lap up juicy details – or even inane ones – if a player is willing to share.
Gael Monfils and wife Elina Svitolina watch football at Parc des Princes. Getty
"You look at whether they've spoken about that before," Dokic says.
"Have things have been posted on social? Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina are very open and happy to talk about their daughter as well. The story is very interesting, and they love that.
"Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas are the same and have a great rapport which is fun to talk about. But you do have to be careful.
"I also watch press conferences so you know whether they have spoken about their personal lives before.
"You get to know players and get a sense for it. But you don't always get it right!
"You've got to look at the player's expression or emotion and use your judgement sometimes because there's a lot of adrenaline."
Stefano Tsitsipas of Greece and Paula Badosa of Spain during the Eisenhower Cup. Getty
DOKIC'S SMASH HIT INTERVIEWS
This is a simple overhead smash question for Dokic.
Her favourite interview subject is world No.1 Sabalenka, who has come out of her shell while filling her trophy cabinet in recent years.
Dokic's rapport with her has played a significant role in showcasing her exuberant and quirky personality to the world.
"She is such a good sport and she actually loves it," Dokic says.
"She's so focused and competitive on the court and completely different off it which I think is an amazing dynamic. I interview her so often that we actually talk off court about 'what can we do next?!' The TikTok dancing one was great.
"She's always got good energy and is always really up for interviews – even after a tough match. She'll offer her real personality so I love interviewing her."
Dokic still strongly recalls the immense relief of getting through her first interrogations of intimidating icons Djokovic and Serena Williams early in her media career.
She also loves the intelligence and curiosity of world No.2 Swiatek.
"Iga is very different to Aryna and certainly more shy," she says.
Iga Swiatek of Poland during her post-match interview after defeating Eva Lys of Germany. Getty
"But I love my chats with Iga because she goes a little bit deeper into the psychology of things or her tennis.
"You never know what you're going to get but she's really lovely and kind.
"Sometimes when you surprise her with a question that she maybe didn't expect, her face lights up, which I've noticed."
Jelena Dokic. Instagram/Jelena Dokic
ASKING THE TOUGH QUESTIONS
Dokic doesn't pretend to be an investigative journalist and views her job as helping to provide a window into the player rather than searching for a 'gotcha' moment.
She doesn't want to pick out a 'worst' career interview but admits she has had some awkward conversations with certain players.
"I look at it as a challenge, if someone is not comfortable," Dokic says.
"So maybe I ask easier questions, especially if they are not comfortable with the language. There are some players whose English isn't really there, it's their second language and they're only just learning it.
"And certain players are simply not comfortable with the camera, being in the spotlight. If you're shy that's OK. It's a challenge to try and get a little bit more out. At times I've been able to do that with with shy players."
THE DJOKOVIC DRAMA
Djokovic's decision to not take on court questions from Courier after beating Jiri Lehecka became the biggest story of the tournament.
Dokic doesn't want to jinx it but she hasn't yet had a curveball quite like that.
"That's the challenge for us, that might happen," she says.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia is interviewed by on-court presenter Jim Courier. Getty
"And as Jim said – 'that's all I could do in that moment.' Novak just wanted to take the mic and say a couple of short sentences, and it's his right to do that."
How does Dokic think she would have handled the Djokovic dilemma?
"I would have felt like I had done something wrong until I found out what was going on. It wouldn't be easy. Andrea Petkovic said that if it happened to her, she would be in tears."
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'YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A THICK SKIN'
Dokic's fame and profile grows with each interview, TV appearance and commercial she participates in.
Sadly she is well used to copping vile abuse on social media and has overcome enormous adversity in her life.
That doesn't mean the barbs from keyboard warriors don't sting.
"Not everyone is going to love what I do," she says.
Danielle Collins of the United States is interviewed by Jelena Dokic during the pandemic.. Getty
"Some might not have found the dancing funny or what they wanted from an interview. That's OK. Not everyone is going to like me, including the players, out of millions and millions of people watching.
"You've got to have a thick skin and try not to take it personal. I know I go out there with the best intention and to do a really great job.
"On court interviews are getting a lot of attention now and sometimes the advice or criticism is constructive.
"As long as I see that the player is happy and we have a good conversation – that really is what's most important to me."
