Australian Davis Cup Coach Joshua Eagles ‘thinks’ Bernard Tomic will probably play at the French Open next week. Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde ‘think’ Tomic will play at Roland Garros – clearly everyone is very worried he won’t.
However, isn’t the real question: why on earth wouldn’t he?
It has been well publicised in recent weeks Bernard’s volatile father has got himself into a spot of bother with the Spanish judicial system.
He is accused of head-butting Bernard’s training partner (not sparring partner, they weren’t in the gym) Thomas Drouet before the lucrative Madrid Open roughly a fortnight ago.
Immediately after this regrettable incident, Bernard suffered a first round loss at Madrid and subsequently withdrew from the follow up event in Rome.
First round losses far from home aren’t that rare for professional tennis players. Ask anyone who follows the tour, all the best players have had their share of painful first round losses – it’s part of the learning curve. Unless it starts happening regularly, it’s not that big a deal.
What I don’t understand is this: Bernard is not the accused in this situation.
Bernard did not force his father to hit his training partner, to suggest this would clearly be absurd.
John Tomic has accumulated a chequered, well documented, history of colourful behaviour at his son’s tennis matches. This is no secret to Australian journalists and people who follow tennis closely in this country. A little online research will quickly confirm this.
So why is there this conjecture Bernard might not play at one of the four most prestigious, important and lucrative tournaments on the calender? Why is Bernard apparently on the verge of derailing his career and prospects for the season?
Could it be this is what John Tomic wants for his hugely talented 20 year old son? Surely not.
You don’t really have to be reading between the lines to come to the conclusion that Tomic senior’s antics are the real issue here and surely any father that genuinely cares about their son’s career wouldn’t want his own (alleged) lack of clear judgement to get in the way of his son’s success.
If I could speak directly to Bernard Tomic I would say this: You are not your father. None of us are our fathers. This is your career, your talent, your opportunity.
There are so many Australian men who would give their left nut to be skilled enough to play a professional sport at the level you do.
Go to Roland Garros, hold your head high and give a good account of yourself on the court.
By doing these things you will earn a great many people’s admiration and respect – especially your fans here at home.
You may not have had a satisfactory preparation for this event, but the French crowd adores a brave underdog, they love a fighter and there’s very little pressure/expectation of you to have a blinder.
In short, have a crack mate – that’s the Aussie way.
Remember fortune often does favour the brave, and remember: I actually would give my left nut to be in your shoes, regardless of what silly thing a Dad may, or may not, have done.
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