After hearing Bernard Tomic’s comments following his early exit from Wimbledon last week, the public now has an unfiltered glimpse into the mindset of the 24-year-old.
When I first heard that he was “a little bored” in the first round of the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, I was angry.
How can someone be bored in that arena in the middle of battle?
Tomic rounded out his press conference by saying he was playing for money. How he would only have to play for another eight to ten years before retiring and enjoying life. He mocked his critics, letting them know that “You probably don’t like me but, at only 24, you guys can only dream about having what I have at 24.”
Tomic then seemed to taunt his naysayers, “End of the day, don’t like me or whatever. Just go back dreaming about your dream car or house while I go buy them.”
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There are three ways to look at this. The first is the path that the vast majority have chosen: viewing Tomic’s antics as a disgrace and labelling him as petulant and unpatriotic.
This view is clearly justified if you are comparing Tomic to the array of sporting heroes Australia has produced.
The second viewpoint one may have on Tomic and his behaviour is one of pity. Should we feel sorry for him? The kid clearly doesn’t like his profession, and has to train incredibly hard for hours every day to stay competitive.
Can’t many Australians find comfort in this relatability? Perhaps we don’t have the platform to discuss our grievances, however we must all feel defeated at some times. Of course, Tomic doesn’t have to go out and say the things he does, handing ammunition to all those who are waiting to berate him. However, if we are provided more context with his position, we may be a little bit more understanding.
The third way this situation can be viewed is extreme. Why not let it be a catalyst, especially for the media? Let’s stop talking about Tomic. Completely. Who can honestly say they enjoyed listening to his post-match interview? I sat there feeling a little bit ill, wondering why I was watching.
In this digital age, everything gets covered – just research LaVar Ball! However, for the good of the country, and especially our younger generations, can we agree to forget about Tomic until he provides us with something of substance?
How do developing athletes feel when they look up to Tomic? Would they be react the same way most of us do, with disgust for his lack of responsibility and charm? Or would they be listening to Tomic’s comments and think, “Hey, I only have to play tennis until I’m 32, and then I can have fun for the rest of my life with my millions of dollars.”
If we are looking for role models to compare our work ethic, camaraderie and humility, then we have to look further than Tomic. Due to his comments the other day, his racquet sponsor has already dropped him. Can the media agree to do the same? Instead of spending two minutes talking about what has come out of Tomic’s mouth, can’t we listen to the training regime of our younger athletes?
Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to provide coverage of our female tennis players, and the issues they still face? Wouldn’t you rather hear nothing at all, watching a blank screen than have to deal with Tomic?
For the better of the society, let’s forget about Bernard Tomic.
Tennis lover
Guest
Mats Wilander said in his defence that Tomic was only saying what every single player including Federer had felt often during his career but didn't dare to say so. Being on the travel grind is no fun especially when you don't have time to make friends or get downtime. It mucks around with your head. If he had a coach who cared about him as a person rather than an automaton, maybe he could come good again.
BrainsTrust
Guest
Tomic is a big spender who is about to find his earnings slashed to next to nothing with a falling ranking. A significant percentage of former sports stars end up broke, few invest wisely and set themselves up for life from money earnt during their sports career, the bigger the earnings the more money they fritter away and even when they do invest a lot of their income a lot of the time its in crazy schemes and they lose it anyway. I think with the weakness in mens tennis at the moment if Tomic puts a big committed effort he can earn heaps of money and get into the top 10. Mens tennis is so weak at the moment he could easily win a grand slam as well
Winston
Guest
The problem is nobody is allowed to display that sort of attitude without backlash. I may hate my job, but that doesn't mean I can walk around and be like that. I can secretly look for another job, and once I do that's a different issue, but in the meantime, I keep doing my job. He can obviously quit his job if he wants to, but he wants the money, so he keeps doing it. And if that's his decision, just bloody shut up and keep doing your job. Get whatever help you need to allow you to stay in your job and make bad things a little bit better, but if you decide to keep doing your job, then this simply isn't the way to go. It's just unfortunate that his job doesn't involve an employer who can fire him. Unfortunately tournaments can't just ban people from entering because they're a tool. The bad thing about what he's doing is just the same as a disengaged employee. It demotivates everyone else. I would have to have my kid watching Tomic and even learn 0.1% from him.
Jock Cornet
Guest
He's terrible for tennis.
Simoc
Guest
Of course, wealth has nothing to those with class. It's the person that matters. Unfortunately, he talks himself up at the start of each year (going to be top 10) then fails as he has set himself up to fail. Currently he is a journeyman. Hasn't got the game to win a major but capable of winning minor tournaments, which is pretty good. It's just that he thought he was going to be a better player than he is. The realisation has set in. As Federer has told him, "Let your performances do the talking".
Harvey
Guest
Totally agree with the headline, do away with any funding he gets as well and give it to someone who wants to succeed.
Cuz
Guest
I agree. It is nice to support Aussies but at the end of the day I prefer to support anyone else who goes about their business with dignity and humility. Tomic will get a shock when he learns that whoever gets the biggest and most toys actually doesn't win. Unfortunately the public is drawn to these stories so the media will keep covering the Tomics of this world ? I say more coverage to the overcommers as they give us all inspirations or each of us to be the best that we can be.