Skip to content

Bernard Tomic's attitude in focus again after comment to Australian media

Bernard Tomic of Australia shows his emotion against Fabio Fognini of Italy
Image: Bernard Tomic of Australia shows his emotion against Fabio Fognini of Italy

Bernard Tomic could find himself in hot water again with Tennis Australia over his attitude.

The 23-year-old was dumped out of the first round of the Madrid Open this week, losing 6-2 6-4 to Italian Fabio Fognini.

At match point to Fognini, Tomic received serve holding his racket by its head, waving the handle disinterestedly at the ball as it flew past him.

Asked about the incident by the Gold Coast Bulletin, Tomic responded: "I don't care about that match point - would you care if you were 23 and worth over 10 million dollars?"

It is not the first time Tomic has been accused of showing a lack of effort.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Bernard Tomic effectively gave up match point against Fabio Fognini

At the US Open in 2012, the Australian was criticised by John McEnroe among others for his performance against Andy Roddick, while his 28-minute loss to Jarkko Nieminen in Miami in 2014 remains the quickest ever on the ATP Tour.

Tomic, meanwhile, was involved in a spat with Nick Kyrgios in March after he was heard on court disputing that his Davis Cup team-mate was too ill to play in their match against the USA.

Also See:

Tomic's behaviour could put his appearance at the Olympics in Rio this summer in doubt.

There is no doubt his ranking, currently 22, will be high enough but International Tennis Federation rules stipulate that a player must be in good standing with their federation.

Tomic seemed to have turned a corner last year, climbing into the world's top 20, but the Fognini loss was his fourth in a row.