Dokic opts to miss Australian Open

Jelena Dokic was the only notable absentee when entries closed today for next month's Australian Open women's championship.

Jelena Dokic was the only notable absentee when entries closed today for next month's Australian Open women's championship.

The world number eight said last month she would skip the first grand slam of 2002 because it was "too far away" and she was also worried about the reception her controversial father Damir might receive.

When the deadline passed today, Dokic was the only active player in the world's top 100 not to have entered the January 14th-27th tournament at Melbourne Park.

Dokic and her father provided an intriguing sideshow to the usual order of tennis events at the 2001 January Open.

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They first accused organisers of plotting against them by rigging the draw when Dokic was drawn to face world number one Lindsay Davenport in the opening round, a match she subsequently lost.

Australian Open chief executive Paul McNamee said last month he would not be surprised if Dokic did not play.

"It doesn't come as a great shock. I knew it would be something she would have to think long and hard about," McNamee said.

The deadline for entry to the men's singles championship is December 17th.