Jelena Dokic, (picture), a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2000, says spending time on court is her main objective at next week’s ASB Classic as she prepares for a comeback at the Australian Open.

The Auckland event is her first full tournament in five months and her first on the WTA Tour since May.

“I haven’t played in a long time and I’m trying to come back, which isn’t easy,” Dokic, who got a wild-card entry here, told reporters yesterday.

“I’m really happy to be playing again and that’s why I chose this tournament. I’ve been here before ... and I think I can play well.”

She is estranged from her father and former coach, Damir Dokic, a consistently controversial figure during her teenage years.

“I’ve gone through a lot of changes and personal stuff that has gone on in my life,” she said. “It’s just made me a little bit stronger mentally as well. I’m trying to enjoy my tennis. I’ve got nothing to lose.

“I’ve proved I can play well. Now I’m just playing for myself and for fun.”

Dokic, 22, returned to Melbourne earlier this month, restating her desire to represent Australia after her earlier decision to return to Serbia-Montenegro, the country of her birth.

Damir Dokic claimed the draw for the 2001 Australian Open was rigged against his daughter and took Jelena and the rest of the family to live in Serbia-Montenegro.

Dokic has not played in an Australian Open since.

After reaching at career-high No. 4 ranking in 2002, Dokic has slipped to No. 349.

She won her way into the 16-29 January Australian Open in a wild-card playoff in Melbourne last week.

“I had four matches there and that has given me quite a bit of confidence,” she said. “I’ve been playing better and better. Hopefully, I can have a good start here.”