Jelena Dokic shuts down relationship question amid ‘much-needed break’

She missed the Logies as she took a “much-needed” month-long overseas break in order to “rest and recover”, and former tennis star Jelena Dokic didn’t mince her words when fans began to speculate she might be keeping some happy news secret during her European vacay with partner Yane Veselinov.

Jelena, 43, first went public about her romance with the Hospitality Operations Manager in July 2025 – with the author and commentator describing him as her “calm, safe, peaceful and happy place” in an emotional Instagram post.

A year on, the couple seem as loved-up as ever – with Yane accompanying the Channel Nine star to her recent trip which took in destinations including Macedonia and Italy.

But one Instagram update, shared by Jelena from an Italian winery, ended up causing quite the stir.

“A wine tasting, pasta and tiramisu at a winery in Tuscany to recharge and celebrate and be grateful for life and love…..and that second Logie,” Jelena shared in the post on August 23. “No better place to do it and no better person to do it with than with my love @yanedonist.”

The accompanying photos showed Jelena smiling at the camera with a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine, and Jelena and Yane enjoying a romantic meal together.

But eagle-eyed fans seized upon one detail in the snap – the fact that the tennis star had a ring on one finger – and promptly asked Jelena a personal question.

“Is that a wedding ring, I see?” 

Another fan also chimed in, to seize on the same detail.

“Is that a beautiful diamond wedding ring on your finger???” they quizzed.

The interest led Jelena to quickly hose down speculation. 

“Absolutely not,” she wrote.

Indeed, it’s not the first time Jelena has been forced to address untrue rumours around her relationship.

The star previously took to social media to slam “fake news” circulating that suggested she was pregnant with Yane’s baby.

The post in question had used an AI-generated picture of Jelena and Yane appearing to hold an ultrasound scan.

“This is so disturbing on so many levels as you never know what kind of a journey someone might be on and I might actually be going through a really tough time trying to get pregnant and then you post this, a made up picture of what it would look like,” Jelena wrote. “Even going as far as using AI for the ultrasound picture. Disgusting. So disturbing and distressing.

“To make something like this up and use AI and create fake news about me and my partner is just crossing the line. This needs to stop,” the star fumed.

Despite the challenges, ahead of her recent European trip, Jelena told how the last 12 months had been “incredible” for her, both professionally and personally.

“And as I am taking off for a much needed break to recover and recharge mentally, I always use this time to reflect on the last 12 months,” she shared in an Instagram post on July 24.

“I could write a lot but ultimately what is important to me is to live and work in alignment with who I am and what my core values are. And as long as I have done that I am happy and proud of myself.”

The star – who split with her previous long-term partner Tin Bikic in 2021 – said that privately a “lot” had changed for her.

“I wasn’t looking for anything or anyone but when life throws you an amazing person and an opportunity to love and be loved I think it’s worth the risk,” she shared.

“I was alone for a long time and I loved being on my own and then it all got turned upside down.

“When the universe throws you an amazing and kind person and man like my wonderful Yane…then no matter how scared you are, I feel like it’s so worth giving it a shot,” she added.

“You can’t experience the best things and the greatest feelings in anything without risk and that includes love and I think it’s worth it.

“We all have our traumas and fears but I am so proud of us and myself on how we have navigated the last year of being together.”