Monday January 5, 12:39 AM
Tax problems linked to latest Dokic upheaval
AUCKLAND (AFP) - Money or taxation concerns rather than personal problems emerged as likely reasons for Jelena Dokic's late withdrawal from this week's international women's tennis tournament here.
Organisers of the Auckland classic were originally told the world No. 15 had "some details to sort out relating to her current personal situation".
Pressed on media reports this was related to unpaid tax bills from when she lived in Australia, and which linked the problems to her father, tournament director Richard Palmer said: "I have promised not to divulge some information I have been privy to.
"All I will say is there are a number of personal reasons. There are a whole raft of issues. Sadly, it all came to a head last week."
If unpaid tax is the problem, Dokic's situation is similar to former world No. 1 Steffi Graf, whose father, Peter, was jailed in Germany for tax evasion.
There had been suggestions the recent break-up of Dokic's long-time relationship with Formula One driver Enrique Bernoldi was behind her decision not to play in Auckland.
Others hinted that her much-publicised spats with her father were the reason for the no-show.
However, Dokic, who last played in the Australian Open in 2001, remains in the draw for this year's Open.
Palmer also denied weekend newspaper reports that Dokic would be fined for not showing up.
"She is not going to be fined. It is totally ridiculous to quote any figure," he told a press conference.
"As a gold exempt player she does not have to play a tournament (tier four) of our level, even if she has made a commitment.
"It would be different if she had committed to a higher-tier tournament and withdrew."
If Dokic, as one of the world's top 15, had committed to this week's tier-three tournament on the Gold Coast and not shown up, she could have been fined up to 5,000 US dollars.
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※ 編輯: zerkchu 來自: 203.219.101.22 (01/05 23:32)