Ok, so I’m really over hearing about how Bernard Tomic is arrogant, egocentric. How he needs to grow up. Concentrate on his game. Etc, etc.
Yawn. Seriously, it’s time to shut up!
Not since Lleyton Hewitt won the US Open in 2001 has there been such anticipation of a local player. Claiming victory in Sydney the year prior, in 2000, Hewitt remains the youngest male to have won the title in Sydney.
Now only two wins away from trying to equal Hewitt’s feat, Tomic could very well be following in the footsteps of the two-time major Hewitt.
But all stuff that! He’s a dick right? Owns a yellow Ferrari – clearly a douche – has hot girlfriends, and is fond of a drunken early morning fight spa.
Do you have anything else that perhaps we could use that’s relevant?
I’m all about admitting your wrongs, and Tomic has come out and done this with maturity.
He’s explained why he wasn’t performing, reiterated over and over again he has had a cold hard look at himself and is working on his attitude.
“There is still pressure, but I’m really fit and I know I’ve worked out, so the pressure sort of fades away when you know you’ve put in the hard work’ Tomic said.
Yet this is the sort of response you get if you dare mention on social media that you’re cheering on Australia’s only real men’s hope: “I don’t care if he wins five grand slams. I will never cheer for him ever”.
Social media is drenched in Tomic hate, most from ignorant people who have probably don’t even understand this fine game.
Hopefully tonight, history is on Tomic’s side. In the past five years alone, five unseeded players have made it through to the men’s final at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre.
Admitting he found the back end of last year difficult to deal with, where he saw his ranking fall outside the top 50, Tomic says taking the time out to regain his love for the game was the best thing to happen to him.
“It was a hard time to deal with but it was a learning curve for me and I’m happy in a way because I got to learn from my mistakes and move forward.
After pulling out of Paris [in November], I worked extremely hard over the summer and my body feels really fit right now. I’m feeling one-hundred percent.”
Tomic could quite possibly be Australia’s next Grand Slam winner, and thankfully there are fans eager to watch him continue his winning streak, which started last week at the Hopman Cup in Perth and includes a win over world No.1 Novak Djokovic.
Aggression is something Tomic possesses, now it’s about him employing the right kind and amount two more times in Sydney.
Tonight, I’m hoping a new wave of Australians will be cheering for “Bernie” as he tries to equal his predecessor Hewitt’s feat. If you must continue your Tomic tirade, then please do so quietly.
Steve
Guest
Unfortunately many sport stars are arrogant and spoilt! It is a shame that Tomic doesnt realise he could of had a lot of support if he was not arrogant. People dont expect the world and he just thinks that people will like him when he is top ten, but the general public are not just going to like him because he wins slams the dislike never was about his ability in tennis but the attitude he and his father displayed
AussieOpen fan
Guest
Is Tomic (often mispronounced as "To-mick") even Australian? If I remember correctly, he and his dad were talking about playing for Serbia a few years back.
GoFed
Guest
Seriously... This guy's main talent is to unplay the game, which is SO uninspiring! It's like YAWN from start to finish - watching him do everything to SLOW and undo the game - fibbing faking and playing what can only be described as boring tennis. Sure he can win, but it's never awe inspiring. It's not about growing up - it's about going Away! Make room for inspiring talent like Hewitt, Duckworth & Mitchell!
Rasta
Guest
Cant wait for fed to give him a lesson in tennis, arrogant pri*ck.
Aussie tennis
Guest
+1
amazonfan
Roar Guru
"Owns a yellow Ferrari" What is it with owning a yellow Ferrari? What's wrong with the classic red? :D Seriously, I don't hate him, however I do dislike him, and I do dislike Hewitt. I don't see why he's being Australian means I am obligated to barrack for him or to start liking him. This isn't the Davis Cup or the Olympics.
Jay
Guest
You just said it yourself, "Earned not given". Tomic has a bit of a ways to go to earn respect and support back. Maybe he has turned a new leaf. He still has to prove it over time.
swannies05
Roar Pro
I am personally not a Tomic fan. Anyone who gets up Rafter and Roche (especially when they are hois coach/captain or whatever you want to call them) doesn't deserve much respect in my book. Jdubya's earlier comment, "His personality has nothing to do with what he does on court as tennis isn’t a team sport", I feel is just plain wrong. People's personality can have a lot to do with how they perform on the sporting field. I'm not going to wheel out examples of professional sportspeople here because I simply don't know enough of them, but anyone who has played sport can attest to people's personalities playing a role in how they perform. Just because he is Australian does not mean we have to support him... the respect has to be earnt first.
su
Guest
Why we have to treat Tomic like a bad boy. What he has done outside tennis is his choice. GIve any one at his age any thing can happen. He should be free to try and enjoy his youthful time. I would llike to see less negative comments on him but give him the up most support. Hi ,Tomic keep it up, just enjoy playing your tennis and do every thing you love to do. The sky is the limit to you. May god bless you abundantly with your health, enjoy playing tennis to the maximum and love your dad and every one surround you. I really like to take off my cap to show the respect to your dad . He is ,just a cool man . Since Tomic started playing in tennis Com i will say to my kids he will be there and I am very proud gf him. When Hewitt had a bad time with lots of negative comments i felt the same for Hewitt. .May I pray that all the wrong comments about you will disappear in the thin air soon. Eveyone should wish Tomic well in the coming Aussie Open and through out 2013 and many more good years ahead.
Adrian Quist
Guest
This is a big year for Tomic. He either becomes 'Atomic' or follows 'The Path of the Poo'. He needs to put in a huge effort every time he steps on court, not just in Australia. The reduced playing schedule that he wiil be trying out this year is a worthwhile experiment but if he gets on a hot streak he should be flexible. No Davis Cup commitments and the pressure that comes with it will actually help him maintain his focus. He has ability, so he should be aspiring to be ranked in the top 20 by year's end - roughly the same as his contemporary, Raonic. It's a good sign that he beat Djokovic but the Hopman Cup is little more than an exhibition game, so let's not get too carried away. A better guide will be how he responds in the claycourt season, when he's miles from home with a specialist baseliner at the other end on a hot day - will he melt like last year or will he 'harden up'? The ball is in his court.
sheek
Roar Guru
Hi Hayley, Bernard WHO..........???
mds1970
Roar Guru
If he gets to the 4th round, he'll have beaten Roger Federer; or beat someone who beat Roger Federer.
peeeko
Roar Guru
i dont think that an arrogant attitude is a prerequisite to being a great tennis player but it is not uncommon
Turnover
Roar Guru
Hayley I wouldn't worry. If he wins Sydney and then makes the 4th round of the aussie, most people will forget that he has a ferrari. I want him to win. I don't think he is an Australian hero. But I'll actively support him and I'll get up my mates who don't. Looking forward to the next fortnight or so.
Aaron
Guest
tomic wins 7-6 6-4
rl
Guest
I can accept that as a reasonable compromise position
matt h
Guest
Aint that the truth :-)
matt h
Guest
Well he wouldn;t be the first kid to be a tool as a teenager. I would hate ot have to deal with my 19 year old self. Unlike Rafter who had to work bloody hard to get where he did, everything has come easy for this kid who has been told he's a superstar since he was 12. Cold hard reality is hitting him now, much like it does to a lot of kids when they find they suddenly have to get up and work for a living. I think there is hope for him yet.
mds1970
Roar Guru
I hope he does well at the Australian Open. He's a flog, but he's our flog.
Hayley Byrnes
Roar Guru
What is a AFL?