Damir Dokic, renowned for his erratic behaviour, was quoted by a Serbian newspaper as saying that he was seeking to kidnap his daughter and even threatened to kill an Australian as revenge for her returning to the country.

He reportedly said Jelena had been brainwashed and vowed revenge against Australia for what he said was a conspiracy to aid her return to a country she fled in 2001.

Jelena dumped Australia to represent Serbia, where she was born, amid controversy over allegations by her father-coach that the draw for the 2001 Australian Open had been rigged against her.

But she returned in December to try and resurrect her fading career.

"This has proven to be yet another unfortunate distraction around my return to Australia and competitive tennis," the former world number four said in a statement.

"I have spent my life recovering from events such as this. I will continue to work very hard on getting back to the top of my game and putting comments like these firmly behind me."

Damir told Serbian daily Kurir in a report widely used by Australian media that "Australia with the help of Croatia and the Vatican have brainwashed my daughter".

"I have thought about dropping a nuclear bomb on Sydney since Jelena lost in the first round this week, for which Australia is to blame."