Melbourne, Jan. 25 : Damir Dokic, the father of tennis player Jelena Dokic has apologised for derailing his daughter''s life and spurning Australia at the height of her career.

According to the Sunday Herald Sun, the shamed father has offered an olive branch to his daughter and the Australian public by finally saying sorry for years of outrageous public behaviour.

Dokic''s return to the top of world sport is set to continue today at Melbourne Park in the fourth round of the Australian Open against 29th seed Russian Alisa Kleybanova.

Damir Dokic said his biggest mistake was forcing Jelena to turn her back on Australia in 2001 and change allegiances to Serbia and Montenegro.

Dokic said he would welcome his daughter back to Serbia if she wished to return, but admitted Australia was the best place to resurrect her career.

Dokic said his attack on Australian Open organisers in 2001 over an allegedly biased draw against his daughter was wrong.

Dokic said he hoped to one day reunite with his daughter. (ANI)