Former tennis star Jelena Dokic suffered a bizarre eye injury on Saturday while watching the Australian Grand Prix qualifying session.
Ex-tennis champion Jelena Dokic suffered an eye injury while she was watching Saturday’s qualifying from the trackside after Fernando Alonso’s car picked up gravel.
Dokic was in the Mercedes-AMG Lounge watching a Formula One qualifying session on Friday at Albert Park in Melbourne when Alonso made a turn too wide and went off track.
Some of the gravel and debris kicked up by his car went straight into the tennis star’s right eye, leaving her in need of immediate assistance from paramedics working at the event.
Dokic posted a video on social media of herself receiving eye drops from a medic in the Mercedes lounge and despite the discomfort, she seemed relieved that her makeup remained intact. She also said that the incident hasn’t stopped her from attending Formula 1 events to see the action firsthand.
“When you go to the Formula One weekend at the Australian Grand Prix and a car going off track happens right in front of you, literally and all the rock debris flies right into your eye,” Dokic posted.
“Fernando Alonso ran off the track and the rock debris that you see flying off the back wheels went straight into my right eye. Had to get treated for it but all good. Just a bloodshot and scratched eye.
“I will survive. Amazing and quick work by the paramedic at Mercedes-AMG Lounge. Thank you all that took care of me. I am all good. Ready to watch some more F1.”
Alonso proceeded to qualify his Aston Martin for the Australian Grand Prix in P10, as the double World Champion suffered a setback due to the venture into gravel which lowered his confidence during his final attempt in Q3.
“Getting both cars into Q3 was more or less what we expected today,” Alonso reflected. “My first lap in Q3 wasn’t great: I went off into the gravel at Turn Six.
“My mistake. So, on my final push-lap, I didn’t really have full confidence in the car. It was tricky.
“I feel we are a little bit less competitive than we were in Jeddah. The car was sliding; a little sensitive in the wind; lacking consistency. But it’s the same for everybody.
“Still, we need to find more pace. There will be lots going on tomorrow. It’s not going to be an easy race for the tyres – graining will be a concern for everybody – so let’s see if we can manage them better than the others.
“We want to get both cars home in the points tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, teammate Lance Stroll qualified in position nine and as a result, all Aston Martins will start the Australian Grand Prix from row five.
Defending world champion Max Verstappen set the fastest time in qualifying, and he will be joined by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz on the front row for tomorrow’s race. McLaren’s Lando Norris was third fastest ahead of Charles Leclerc in the sister Ferrari.
