Dokic slams organisers after failing to enter Australian Open

MELBOURNE: Former World No.4 Jelena Dokic has slammed Tennis Australia (TA) for not providing her with a wildcard entry for the Australian Open, starting Monday.

The 24-year-old Serbia and Montenegro-origin Australian lost 2-6, 1-6 against Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn in the second round of the qualifiers Friday.

Dokic criticised the TA for not supporting her in times of crisis and questioned the wildcard selection policy.

"The issue is who they (TA) gave it to. They didn't even wait to see how I would play in Hobart. The wildcards were announced after the first day of qualifying in Hobart, so I was disappointed they didn't even take me into consideration," Dokic was quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald as saying.

"I definitely think I deserved a wildcard into the main draw, I think I've done more in one week and had more big wins in one week than some of those girls have in their whole careers."

She even accused the wildcard selectors of bias. "Some of the selectors have given wildcards to their trainees and I don't think it is fair."

Four discretionary wildcards were under TA to be given to the nation's players. Sophie Ferguson (ranked 176), Monique Adamczak (148), Jessica Moore (376) and Jarmila Gajdosova (143) were awarded the wildcards.