After eight years on tour, eight years of promise, eight years of controversy, tonight 23-year-old Bernard Tomic finds himself in a fourth round match up with two-time grand slam champion Andy Murray.
Finally, finally, Tomic has a golden opportunity to establish his name as a serious contender in the world of tennis, all can be done by knocking off the world No.2 in front of his home country on Rod Laver Arena. There’s no bigger stage, no bigger chance for a breakthrough victory.
Way back in 2009 Tomic won his first round match at the Australian Open writing his name into the record books as the youngest ever male player to win a match at the tournament. Since that day tennis fans all over the nation believed it was the dawn of a new era for Australian tennis. Since that day we have waited and watched the highs and lows of Bernard Tomic.
From his glimpses of profection at Wimbledon 2011 where he fought his way to the quarter-finals, to his multiple arrests, outbursts in press conferences and slams against Tennis Australia, Tomic still has managed to find himself at a modest world ranking of 17.
Tomic has never been shy when speaking on his goals and ambitions of a top 10 ranking throughout his career. Despite his ranking of 17 Tomic is yet to prove himself in grand slams, which causes concerns and questions. Will he ever truly life up to the hype of his once destined superstardom?
Tomic’s career is far from approved by tennis enthusiasts. Friday night’s match against fellow Aussie John Millman exposed the truth, with the crowd largely on Millman’s side, who received the louder cheers and ovation.
Tomic has failed to prove his worth in Roger Federer’s eyes as well, with the 17-time Grand Slam champion having many intriguing comments to say on Bernie at the Brisbane International earlier this month.
Federer questioned Tomic’s goals as a player, saying “many seasons now in a row we have seen or heard that top 10 is the goal, and he’s missed out on it by a long shot.”
It’s time for Tomic to prove to the entire tennis world that he is a legitimate top player on the ATP tour.
It’s clutch time, meaning time to truly deliver, and there’s no better circumstances and opportunity than tonight. Immense pressure, high stakes, home Slam, years of promise and expectations.
Tomic has his haters and critics, but you get the feeling if he can breakout on court in this Australian Open, finally it can launch the career he has aspired to have since he was a teenager up on the Gold Coast.
He claims he can beat anyone at his best, well Bernie please, tonight in front of your country Australia, do it! Win! Prove the critics wrong and produce the quality output that you have teased us to believe in and wait for all this time.
At 7pm on this Monday night, Rod Laver Arena will be the land of opportunity and the magical surface for Bernard Tomic to shine. The court tennis people will reflect on and visualise in ten years time thinking, “that win against Andy Murray was the night I finally believed in Bernard Tomic,” the night Tomic turns the corner, breaks the through the ceiling, and breaks off his leash.
It’s your turn Bernie. Now or never, it’s time to breakout.
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