For if there is one constant in Dokic’s life, it is her inconsistency – both on and off the tennis court. Last February, for instance, she ruled herself out of competing at the Olympics, stung by press criticism of her petulant behaviour at the Australian Open in Melbourne. A fortnight later, the world No 26 changed her mind.Now, as Australian tennis officials try to make sense of her contradictory statements about her plans, it is difficult to resist the suspicion that Dokic pÿre – often described as the tennis father from hell – is pulling the strings.The catalyst for the latest twist in the Dokic soap opera was an article published in the October issue of Australian Tennis magazine which described Damir as “dysfunctional” and suggested that he should seek psychological help to curb his volatile temper.Damir, who has been banned from the women’s tour for six months after public outbursts at three grand slam events this year, reacted by announcing that the family had decided to go back to Yugoslavia. “It is too dangerous for me to live here anymore,” he explained. “I go to police station and ask for protection.” It seemed like an empty threat until the Croatian-born Dokic surfaced in Belgrade ten days ago, saying that she had come to obtain a Yugoslav passport. She said she was grateful for everything that Australia had done for her, but it was her dearest wish to return home.Back in Sydney, Damir said that the rest of the family had also applied for passports and he predicted that Dokic would divide her time between Belgrade and Florida, where she has bought a house. Interviewed by another Belgrade newspaper, Dokic, a semi-finalist at Wimbledon this year, said: “I do sincerely wish to play for Yugoslavia Isn’t it the most important thing?” All clear, then.

Until two days later, when she performed another backflip, denying that she had played her last game for Australia. In Sydney, Damir said that he intended to stay put, declaring: “I love Australia.” He said that Dokic’s Yugoslav passport, was “a warning that she could play for Yugoslavia if Tennis Australia and the media continue attacks on me and my family”.Only time will tell whether it was really all just an elaborate stunt. Australian tennis officials, who are waiting to talk to Dokic on her return to Sydney, have so far refrained from passing judgement. But the media has not been so diplomatic.Jeff Wells, a sports columnist for the Sydney tabloid Daily Telegraph, appealed to Dokic to stay in Belgrade.

“You are annoying the hell out of some of us and boring the rest to tears,” he said Most commentators, however, blamed the sins of the father. In the Adelaide Advertiser, Geoff Roach wrote: “Hands up those who believe it would be infinitely better for all concerned if Jelena’s tormented father, Damir, returned to Belgrade and fully re-embraced his native Yugoslavia rather than continue to be known as Australian?”If Dokic does defect, it will be a blow to Australian tennis, which has invested heavily in her. She is also the only female Australian player of any notable talent. It is not yet clear whether she will compete at the Australian Open in January or represent the country at the Fed Cup in April In any event, her father will be languishing at home.