Dokic eyes challengers
ByReuters
Published 25/04/2005 at 16:45 GMT
Former world number four Jelena Dokic could step down to play in Challenger events in a bid to end her slump. Dokic, who lost in the first round of the Estoril Open on Monday, has plummeted down the rankings after struggling with poor form and injury.
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"I went from four in the world to 444 (now 450) so I have got to start from the beginning again," the Serbian said after a 2-6 6-3 2-6 defeat by Ukraine's Alyona Bondarenko on Monday.
"I wouldn't say I would like to go down to Challenger events but matches wise and confidence wise it could be a good thing."
Former Wimbledon semi-finalist Dokic has won just two matches this season after ending last year with nine consecutive defeats.
Dokic was competing in Estoril on a WTA Silver Exemption wild card which allows former top 10 players direct entry into tour events they could not otherwise qualify for.
The 22-year-old burst on to the scene in 1999 with a victory over then world number one Martina Hingis in the first round at Wimbledon and her world ranking peaked at four in 2002.
Against Bondarenko she rallied to win the second set by taking five games in a row but made too many errors in the decider.
"My tennis isn't there so I have to build it up from the beginning like I did when I was 14," she said.
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