Australia’s Davis Cup captain Pat Rafter says teenage star Bernard Tomic’s attitude to his tennis has taken a big turn for the better since the former world No.1 last year criticised his work ethic.
Rafter was unaware of Tomic’s latest road-related run-in with police on the Gold Coast when he made his comments, while announcing on Thursday Tomic would lead Australia’s Davis Cup team.
The two-time US Open champion named the 19-year-old – along with Lleyton Hewitt, Matthew Ebden and Chris Guccione – to take on China on grass in Geelong from February 10-12.
During Australia’s most recent tie, when they lost a World Group play-off at home to Switzerland last September, Rafter privately and publicly questioned the consistency of Tomic’s workrate.
He said the youngster would only achieve his potential when he worked harder whenever he took the court.
Rafter said on Thursday that Tomic did not seem to heed the message immediately but, from what he had seen this summer, it had now sunk in.
He said Tomic had boosted his fitness and was showing more fight in tough matches.
“His whole mental well-being is going in the right direction,” Rafter said of Tomic, who along with Hewitt, reached the Australian Open fourth round.
“I was very critical of him last year. He wasn’t in the right head space.
“I think the improvements he’s made now, he’s gone the right direction, and he really impressed me over this summer.”
Rafter gave Tomic’s dad John a big share of the credit for guiding his son towards increased maturity.
The Tennis Australia hall of famer said Tomic was capable of cracking the world top 10 this year, but mastering claycourt tennis would be his biggest obstacle.
Rafter also said Hewitt’s stirring Australian Open run had changed his view of what the 30-year-old, whose career has been held back by injury in recent years, might still achieve.
But he said Hewitt’s physical condition would have to be monitored in the lead-up to the Davis Cup tie, after he carried a toe injury through the Australian Open.
Australia must win the tie against China, then another tie in April against Asia-Oceania opposition, to qualify for a World Group play-off tie in September.
If they win that, they will return to the top tier next year for the first time since 2007.
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