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Tomic needs to ignore media fawning

Expert
26th June, 2011
1

Bernard TomicJust some of the media chirps rising after Bernard Tomic straight-setted Wimbledon number five seed Robin Soderling to move into the fourth round: “Bernard Tomic, Australia’s new tennis ace, new tennis sensational, on his way to the top.” Ace it up.

We all realise there’s an embarrassing lack of tennis talent in Australia, with so little to hang our hats on – but give the 18-year-old a break.

Sure he beat a world-class player and two-time French Open finalist, who just happened to be as sick as a dog on the day.

Let’s just see how he goes tonight on Court 18 against an all-time journeyman in Belgium’s 30-year-old Xavier Malisse, who upset 11th seed Jurgen Melzer, in straight sets.

Malisse is ranked 42 in the world, has been around for 13 years on tour, winning 256 matches and losing 220, in capturing just three titles, the last in 2007.

Tomic is ranked 158, has won 11 matches and lost 15 in his entire ATP career, and has yet to win a title.

Despite very early days some parts of the media have him as the second coming.

Ace it up alright.

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It would be a tonic for Tomic to keep his feet on the ground by reverting to history:

* Michael Chang won the 1989 French Open when he was 17 years and 110 days.

* Boris Becker was 17 years and 228 days when he won Wimbledon in 1985.

* Mats Wilander was 17 years 243 days winning the 1982 French Open.

* Bjorn Borg was 17 years and 362 days when he captured the 1974 French Open.

* Ken Rosewall was 18 years 59 days winning the 1953 Australian title.

And all five had won tour tournaments before they Slammed.

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But Tomic, at 18 years 247 days, is nowhere near those lofty heights yet, and one win sure doesn’t make a career.

He has talent, no argument, but he’s only been around for “five minutes”. Let him find his own niche on the tour.

If he’s got “it”, he has time to emulate the next wave of young Slammers:

* Rafael Nadal was 19 years 3 days when he won the 2005 French Open.

* Lleyton Hewitt was 20 years 198 days capturing the 2001 US Open.

* Gustavo Kuerten 20 years 215 days the 1997 French Open.

* Marat Safin 20 years 228 days the 2000 US Open.

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* Novak Djokovic 20 years 251 days the 2008 Australian Open.

* Jim Courier 20 years 297 days the 1991 French Open.

* And Juan Martin del Potro was 20 years 356 days when he won the 2009 US Open.

Those are worthwhile goals, but in the meantime, in Bernard Tomic’s best interests, keep the chirps on ice.

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