THE SCOOP: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Dokic not playing Aussie Open, sympathizes with Hewitt
Hewitt's appears still being considered
Serena's new place in LA, Stevenson looking

By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net

Fred Mullane Camerawork USA, Inc.

FROM THE HOME DEPOT CHAMPIONSHIPS – After her loss to Serena Williams at the $3 million Home Depot Championships, former Australia resident Jelena Dokic reiterated that she again won't be going down under to play the Australian Open. Dokic also skipped the Aussie Open this year, the site of her and her father many blowups.

"I don't feel like I'm ready to go back and I don't think it would be a good idea," Dokic said. "I don't think I would have a good reaction from media, fans, everyone. It would be every complicated. Mentally, I don't think I would feel great too play there."

Last summer, Dokic and her family sold the house at Florida's Saddlebrook Resort and moved back to Yugoslavia, where they are originally from. The Dokics left Australia in 2001.

"I had a lot of problems with the media," Dokic said. "In the end, I feel the people started to feel the same way, too. Either way, I wouldn't have had too many people supporting me. It's a risk to go. I never know what can happen. If something went wrong mentally, I wouldn't feel very good after that."

Dokic – who was here with her boyfriend, Brazilian Formula One driver Enrique Bernoldi – hasn't decided whether she will buy another residence in the US. She said that for now, she'd be staying in Yugoslavia.

The 19-year-old also sad that she sympathizes with Aussie Lleyton Hewitt, who has come under scrutiny in Australia for his sometimes questionable behavior. "He has trouble playing [at the Australian Open]," Dokic said. "His worst result have been there. They give a lot of pressure to the players, whether it's good or bad. I'm sure it's tough for him, too. They have no reason to blame as much as they do. I had even more problems than that."

Hewitt's appeal still being considered
Sources told tennisreporters.net that Lleyton Hewiit's appeal to have the ATP rescind a $106,000 fine for refusing to do a TV interview in Cincinnati is still being considered. The appeals committee heard the evidence last week and is still deliberating.

Serena's new place in LA, Stevenson looking

Courtesy of Sanex WTA Tour

The L.A.Times Lisa Dillman reported that Serena Williams now has a place in Los Angeles. Whether Serena will move back to California full-time from Florida is up to debate.

"I'm thinking about it … but … state taxes," Williams said.

San Diego native and former Florida resident Alexandra Stevenson is house hunting in the LA area.