Bernard Tomic. Writing just those two words is enough to spark pages upon pages of comments of vitriol about his antics.
And why not? He’s a brat. He needs a good talking to/ban from tournaments/ban from Australia/to have his head bashed in (I’ll let you finish that sentence yourself).
Am I right?
No. Wrong. So wrong. Couldn’t be wronger.
Here’s the truth. The problem isn’t Bernard. It’s us. The media, society, the idea of sports in general, and you, the individual. After all, here in Australia, we like our sportsmen a particular way.
Blue-collar. Humble. Family-oriented. Seemingly unaffected by fame. The sort of bloke or girl you can have a yarn and a beer with.
Tomic couldn’t be further from that. Young, carefree, party animal, hitting up strip joints, driving flash cars. It’s his fault though. He represents the wrong country. He should head over to the US of A, the land of the free. They have no problem with extravagance, controversy, and outspokenness. Donald Trump has well and truly proven that this year.
Now, Tomic began his professional career at 16. Prior to that (at the grand old age of 13) he signed a six-figure deal with a sports marketing company. He’s now 23, has a sponsorship deal with Nike, and has career prize-money of close enough to $4 million.
In there lies the crux of the issue. We – the non-professional athletes – believe that those in the sports industry should be grateful for the luck they received in the genetic lottery. Should have to repay the backing of the sporting bodies that help shepherd them through to the professional ranks. Should be role models for general society. Should be humble. Should be gracious.
Yada. Yada. Yada.
Have a look around you. At your workplace, your neighbourhood, and general society. Does everyone live up to those expectations of being humble, gracious, responsible, kind, and overall ‘good’ people?
Of course not. But do we care?
Unless they have a direct impact on us, no. Because in our minds, we’re probably better off than the ones who don’t ‘follow the rules’. It helps us sleep at night knowing that they’re most likely not-successful, and don’t have what we have.
“But Sam!” you say. “He’s in the public eye. He has a duty to act in such a way that he can inspire others. After all, we (the taxpayers) have helped to fund the sporting bodies that made him what he is. He owes it to us!”
Here’s where we re-introduce Bernie: A 23-year old. With more money than most of us will ever earn. And for what? Swinging a racquet? Hitting a small ball around a court for a few hours a day? How very dare he be ungrateful? He better give his all for every single point, of every single game, of every single set. And now he won’t play in the Olympics? Are you serious? How can he throw all the support back in our faces?
And there we have it. Tomic doesn’t care enough for our liking. It’s what drives us mental. We can’t stand to see someone with more sporting talent than us receive the rewards that he does, and display the attitude he does. To live a lifestyle like he does, for simply playing a sport, when we have to slave away to barely earn a living. Why does he deserve to be rich and famous, when we aren’t?
Never mind the training, the stress on the body, the surgeries, the constant moving from tournament to tournament. The mental pressure. The perceived pressure from outside influences. Ignore that. Don’t let logic get in the way.
Because of course, if we were in Bernard’s shoes, we’d be different.
Right?
Sean Lee
Expert
Bernie asked a question after giving away match point recently that went something along the lines of, "would you care if you were 23 and had 10 millon dollars?" Well, yes I would actually. I would have had enough pride in my own performance to actually fight the match through until its end.
Bandy
Roar Guru
Hmmm, i think given 99% of the rest of the ATP players manage to try through to the end of a straight sets drubbing, including that incredibly taxing and difficult final point, then perhaps Bernard is putting a target on his back. It was one more point, I'm sure the business class flights to the tournament, five-star hotel and guaranteed pay check were more than enough to off-set the 'difficulty' of trying one more point. At least hold the racquet the right way, professional player. I think the vast majority of people if placed in bernie's shoes WOULD be different, and that's the point. Sure you get some players like that, but as the tour represents, they are a minority Sam, and hence the drama and condemnation. This piece basically says 'remove all standards and let players act how they want' . Great. How much has tennis benefited from the class acts of Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic? Who for the most part have battled hard till the end and been gracious in interviews. Tennis Australia has spent squillions on this kid, who in many eyes won't amount to grand slam success. Kyrgios and Kokkinakis are both brighter prospects. And how does Tomic repay? tanking matches, breaking the law in his car, and acting like a self-absorbed teenager still. You really don't expect people to say nothing for that? "your workplace, your neighbourhood, and general society. Does everyone live up to those expectations of being humble, gracious, responsible, kind, and overall ‘good’ people?" Of course not, and on some level they would, or should get pulled up for that, but it doesn't make headlines because it's not on TV silly.