Bernard Tomic’s Australian Open campaign is over before the tournament even begins after a three-set final-round qualifying loss to Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
Tomic looked shattered after the 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 defeat on Sunday, not moving to return serves in an often-punishing first set.
After a sorry start, there was a sad end for the Queenslander, who snapped at journalists on the way out of Melbourne Park.
Clearly drained after the taxing loss, Tomic sarcastically adopted his media persona when asked where he’d go from the loss.
“I just count money, that’s all I do. I count my millions,” he said.
“You go do what I did. You go make 13-14 million. Good luck guys. Bye bye.”
Tomic is at a career crossroads.
The world No.142 will further slump in the ATP rankings as he will lose his points earned from a third-round appearance at Melbourne Park last year.
Denied a wildcard from Tennis Australia and forced into qualifying, Tomic will now miss his home grand slam for the first time since 2008.
The fallen former Australian No.1’s performances earlier in the week gave hope that a comeback could be on the cards.
He routed Vincent Millot in 48 minutes and then steadied against American Tommy Paul in the second round, winning in a third set tiebreak.
But Tomic’s final qualifying outing at Melbourne Park began as a no-contest.
He won just 11 points in the first set, looking nonplussed at the Italian’s procession of winners.
Moving poorly and with no intensity, Tomic simply gave away points on Sonego’s serve deemed out of reach.
It was an unfortunate sight, exacerbated by the scheduling of the 2011 Wimbledon quarter finalist and biggest name in the qualifying tournament, on court eight.
Out of nowhere, he lifted in the second set, maximising his effort in his own service games to push through.
At 6-5, the Tomic grunt was back.
The crowd lifted with Tomic and he responded in the second-set tiebreak, fist-pumping his way back to the chair as he levelled the match.
Lorenzo showed signs of agitation for the first time in the third set, shaping to throw his racquet as he grappled with Tomic’s improved serve.
A rare break point for Tomic in the ninth game roused the crowd but the Italian responded with two sensational winners.
Lorenzo maintained his week-long streak of service holds, pushing the contest towards another tiebreak.
At 5-4, Tomic double faulted to give away match points, pulling out a huge winner down the line to continue his resistance.
It didn’t last, with Sonego closing out the match and richly celebrating his first main draw appearance at a grand slam.
Tomic is unlikely to be seen again at Melbourne Park this year, skipping the men’s doubles event
Tennis Australia declined to comment on Tomic’s departure.
Whether he will return to the tour in a full-time capacity is yet to be made clear.
Queenslander
Guest
Sorry he is a complete chump. Makes withdrawals from the game and no deposits. Classless and Tennis Aust is funded by tax payers so we all have a stake
BennO
Guest
The point made very well in this article just posted today. https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/tennis/bernard-tomics-similar-oppressive-path-to-jelena-dokic-20180115-h0ip38.html
Art Vandelay
Guest
Which point might that be, BennO?
Big Daddy
Guest
I for one have no respect for the guy nor do other thousands of australian's. The guy for a start needs to show respect beforefor he gets any. If he never appears in another australian event I don't think any one really cares. Cut the cord and get rid of him.
clipper
Guest
Don't think the Australian taxpayer funded him - Tennis Australia did - he should be paying them back so they can spend it on a more promising talent. Like the AFL, they have quite a war chest, thanks mainly to the AO. By not giving him the wild card they have shown he's not getting any special treatment.
northerner
Guest
So far as I know, he lives in Monaco. And given his slide down the rankings, he's not going to be making much from appearances. So I hope he's got those millions invested in something sensible because unless he gets his act together and starts working hard on fitness, he's not going to make it back to the top. He's no Andre Agassi.
northerner
Guest
I for one didn't rip shreds out of him. I simply said that he is not a "kid' - it's nonsense to apply the same standards to a grown man that you would to an adolescent trying to figure out life.
Mitcher
Guest
Surely someone who can spell is intelligent enough to realise that the media couldn’t care less if you or any other forum slug likes this guy or not. In fact, your distaste for whatever Tomic spouts at a presser makes them more likely to show up and report his utterances so the likes of you are drawn to any content about him like the most devolved of moths to a bright light.
Mitcher
Guest
Agree with Benno as usual. I expect some rubbish slating on Facebook but not here. Yeah, the guy makes relentless distasteful public comment. But in the end, so many of the sprays intimate how unsuccessful this guy is in life. Firstly, he’s got many things that most of us are desperately working towards (financial security for one). But yes yes, before the shriekers remind us of how comparatively respectable their lives (lived out of the fishbowl of media scrutiny have been), think for a short second of things that MAY (or quite possibly may not) have created this persona. As above, Jelena Dokic anyone. If your own circumstances compel you to rip to shreds the character of someone you’ve never met, them chances are given similar public scrutiny the masses might just h@te on you too.
BennO
Guest
Way to miss the point.
morebeer
Guest
Meh.
PeteB
Guest
No comparison. Hewitt always tried to win and gave every game his best shot. Tomic sooks, feigns injury and throws in the towel far to often.
northerner
Guest
He's not a kid. He's a grown man, at least in years. He is old enough to deal with the consequences of petulant behaviour.
Sports Prophet
Roar Pro
Couldn't be happier. The guy is an absolute waster.
Art Vandelay
Guest
I find his attitude in general to be somewhat less than totally satisfactory.
steamingWilly
Guest
If Tomic had half a brain like Hewitt and Rafter during their respective careers he would domicile himself in Bermuda or the Cayman Islands instead of paying the top marginal tax rate on his so called "millions". He could make even more money on his early round exits. I agree, the media shouldn't rock up to his interviews that would really hurt his ego that no one honestly cares about him!
BennO
Guest
Ease up. Remember when we didn't like lleyton? And remember when Jelena Dokic was deemed ungrateful for bailing to Serbia? We don't know this kid's battles and challenges. Maybe we could give the guy a break and let him figure himself out, eh?
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Perhaps tennis journos just need to leave the room when this clown appears to speak to the press. He has no respect for the game and continues to show contempt for all of its processes. I can only hope it truly is "Bye, bye" to Tomic.
Dianne Andrews
Guest
If he has so much money, maybe now would be a good time to repay the Aussie taxpayers who funded him through Tennis Australia. We have plenty of young, talented players much more deserving than he ever was.
Kurt
Guest
Born loser