What Jelena Dokic's Australian Open Run Meant to the Tennis World

Everybody loves a Cinderella story. If, for some reason, anyone doesn't, they need to rethink their process in a hurry. When your team or athlete is eliminated from competition, it's only natural to root for the underdog.

Why not? Coming into the 2009 Australian Open in tennis, Jelena Dokic was facing a chapter in her life and career that we could only begin to understand. An Australian of Serbian descent, Dokic was a hot prospect entering the game.

As a 17-year-old qualifier in the 1999 Wimbledon, she shocked world No. 1 Martina Hingis in straight sets (6-2, 6-0) in the first round. With a ranking of 129 at the time, Dokic bowed out in the quarterfinals to Alexandra Stevenson.

Some would believe it was a fluke, but Dokic reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2000 before losing to Lindsey Davenport. Following some family issues, especially with her father, the young woman's game began to falter as did her ranking.

Dokic spoke about 2009 being her last opportunity at a comeback in professional tennis. Entering the Australian Open as No. 187 10 years after her first big step onto the grand stage, many didn't expect much out of Dokic.

However, with an early exit from Lleyton Hewitt, the Aussies needed to root for someone. It was a tournament which already featured chairs thrown, lit flares, a number of upsets notably on the women's side, and more retirements than we'd like to see due to the heat from hell, as one newspaper stated.

Those stories combined can't match Jelena Dokic's achievement as all eyes were on her each match.

A first-round victory over Tamira Paszek in three sets may not have been the most convincing. The win was her first at a Grand Slam since 2003.

Disposing of No. 17 Anna Chakvetadze in a second round three-setter had to bring some belief. Caroline Wozniacki (11th seed, and Alisa Kleybonova (29th seed) were the next to be taken out by the fired up Dokic.

Although each match required three sets to the finish, there were no complaints from Dokic. With a little help from the Rod Laver fans, and her great passion and desire to fight for every point, Dokic was in the quarterfinals to face No. 3 seed Dinara Safina.

Unfortunately, some good things just have to conclude eventually. Safina outlasted Dokic in yet another three-set match that lasted over two hours. The Russian was taken to the limit, but managed to survive the contest.

Dokic has already hailed her comeback story as a life changing set of events.

"It was great, I'm really looking forward to playing here again next year," she said. "It's been amazing this comeback, the second part of my career started here, thanks to this crowd. Sometimes one or two matches can change a career and a life. I think that's what's happened here."

With her efforts, Dokic will break back into the top 100 and won't be taken lightly in near future. Safina couldn't help but apologize to Rod Laver Arena following her victory.

Although Dokic eventually lost, she won the hearts of many worldwide proving that she still belongs in the game.

I'm sure all of Australia would agree.