Bernard Tomic has once again proven why he is one of the most polarising figures in tennis, after making controversial remarks following his failure to qualify for the 2018 Australian Open.
Tomic was pressed by journalists following his failure to qualify, and his sarcastic response was unfortunately unsurprising.Tomic responded to the media present by quipping, “I just count my money, that’s all I do. I count my millions.”
These remarks represent the lack of maturity of a man who has wasted his potential to this point. He sarcastically wished reporters luck by telling them to “go make $13-14 million.”
One look at the ATP World Tour website will show you that he’s earnt $5.2 million ($6.6 million AUD) in combined singles and doubles career earnings. He may have reached 13-14 million dollars with sponsorships over the years, but now he is currently without a racquet sponsor, with his sole endorsement being Nike.
Tomic’s annual tennis earnings average out to $500, 000. He hasn’t won a Singles title since 2015, so the likelihood is that the past few years have been lean in terms of earning potential.
By missing the Australian Open, he won’t be adding to those millions anytime soon.
The Australian Open marks the first Grand Slam Tomic has missed in seven years, continuing his fall from grace in the sport.
Just two years ago, Tomic reached a career-high ranking of Number 17 in the world. He now sits at 143rd.
In 2010, the United States Tennis Association estimated the annual average costs for a highly professional tennis player to be $143,000 ($179, 494 AUD) when you factor in travel, coaching and accommodation costs.
Consider those costs over the course of Tomic’s ten-year career, and that sum comes to nearly $1.8 million AUD.
With such costs, it is believed that only the 164 highest-ranked men’s players would’ve broken even. Tomic is dangerously close to dropping out of that threshold.
(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Former world number 1 tennis player Andy Roddick perhaps put it best in response to Tomic’s arrogant claims, tweeting: “Maybe stop for a second and think of the millions you’ve left on the table.”
Australian tennis great John Newcombe has also warned Tomic in the past that the money can dry up quickly.
Newcombe stated that opportunities to earn big prize money will diminish as his ranking decreases. Entry to bigger tournaments will be harder to come by, and with a lack of money from sponsorships, Tomic could find himself in trouble financially pretty quickly.
Tomic is of the belief that he will play another ten years and then never have to work again. If Newcombe’s comments are anything to go by, there’s a strong chance that Tomic’s millions will evaporate before then.
Simply put, Tomic’s comments are yet another chapter in the narrative of his quickly-fading career.
At the age of 25, there is still plenty of time for him to turn it around. The sad part about that is that it feels as if we have been holding those same hopes for five years now.
With each year brings fresh disappointment, and the time Tomic has left to establish himself as a tennis great is passing quickly.
Tomic once declared he had “the heart of Lleyton Hewitt”. Within four years of turning pro, Hewitt won two Grand Slams and reached the World Number 1 ranking. Within ten years he had won 27 titles. Tomic sits at three.
There was a period of time where Australia placed all of its men’s tennis hopes into Tomic.
Since then, Nick Kyrgios has far surpassed Tomic, although his career has been plagued by his own antics. With 18-year-old Alex De Minaur recently passing Tomic on the world rankings, it is imperative that Tomic spends less time counting his millions, and more time playing tennis.
He may not care now, but Tomic will find it increasingly hard to continue playing tennis at a high level with his current attitude. If the millions dry out, that’s when he’ll care. By then, it may be too late for him.
He can add that to a list of professional woes which seem as long as his slide down the rankings.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I do not understand the media fascination with Tomic.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the link BennO. Reading it reminds me of my 2 favourite stories about Tomic. The first was told by Wally Masur who recounted his experience with Bernie when Tomic was a young teenager at Masur's tennis camp/academy. At the end of their time there the young guys were challenged to play Wally in a short set and they all thought "I can blast this old bloke off the court" and of course failed. Tomic, however, rallied a few points with him working out what his strengths and weaknesses were and then proceeded to pick him apart and beat him. And you used to be able to see that sort of tennis IQ in his game. Not sure if it's still apparent. Then about 4 years ago when he was playing an early round in Miami, Tomic approached the umpire and asked if a spectator could be removed as he kept calling out. The umpire replied to the effect of "Yes I can, but he's your father!" And Bernie replied something like, "Yes I know, but he's really annoying me." Although I don't hold out any hope for a Tomic resurgence it would be great if it did happen. If Ryan Harrison can do it so could Bernie Tomic.
BennO
Guest
Or you know, we don't know his full story and maybe shouldn't speculate. As argued very nicely here... we've seen plenty of abusive parents raising tennis prodigies and we have no allegations here there's a common pattern of behaviour. Maybe we the people who have absolutely nothing invested in this kid should back off a bit? https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/tennis/bernard-tomics-similar-oppressive-path-to-jelena-dokic-20180115-h0ip38.html And before anyone starts with but mah taxes... Tennis Australia will have made plenty back from him with their scheduling in the Australian open.
Spur
Guest
Australia revere just about every young player and exalt them as our next great hope. You have to wonder how that gets in the heads of these young players who come up short (Tomic doesn't have the tools to be a genuine superstar, while Kyrgios does), and console themselves with indifferent efforts. It's a shame when any athlete doesn't try to get the most out of their ability. I'm sure when they're older, they'll lament their approach, but by then it's too late. If he isn't already, soon Tomic will be irrelevant. I hope he'll still be happy counting his supposed fortunes then.
Pete
Guest
We are all for pushing mental health issues and beyond blue and black dog and the like. This guy I would thank has some very real emotional and maybe mental issues and all we do is slam him and run him down . I hate what he say and his waste of talent but I am concerned he really does need some serious help and all this is just making it worse.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
I really, really hate to point this out, since I'm currently living in the USA, but when you say "nobody loves a greedy self-centred rich person" JJ, you are forgetting Donald Trump. Apparently some 70 million people liked him in November 2016. But seriously, I have, like so many, pretty much given up on Tomic. I have actually made a bet with a tennis friend that he will have left tennis by the end of 2018. It's a shame that such a talent is being wasted. I do, however, still hold out hopes for Kyrgios. Recently he seems to have found a little more maturity and focus, and he seems to actually care.
Just Jack
Guest
Theres been plenty of jerks in sport but tennis seems to breed a special jerk - and that's the problem, they think they're extra special. A result of high pressure parenting, ambitious parents who seem to focus too much on winning at all costs and less on being a decent person. This results in a spoilt brat with an inflated sense of self worth and entitlement. Tomic and Kyrgios are a blight on the game. ps - I suspect 'people care' because they feel a sense of disappointment or embarrassment when these two turkeys represent Australia in any way. If they no longer represent, then just the fact that they're Australian on an international stage, behaving the way they do. They are of course free to do so, but we don't have to agree with them or wish them well. Re counting their millions and investing wisely (separated from their personality) they're free to do this also, but nobody loves a greedy self-centred rich person, what's there to like?- oh he's smart he made a lot of money! That's the shallow end of town right there.
Perth Wicket
Roar Pro
Well said, Marc. And James, I agree. As time passes, Tomic is becoming less polarising and more a figure who's loathed by all. It's difficult to fathom his mindset - what an opportunity he has!
JamesH
Roar Guru
'Polarising' implies that some people actually like him. Nick Kyrgios is polarising. Tomic is just a tool.
ojp
Guest
I totally agree in terms of not caring KC; although I wonder if Tomic is not part of 'team Australia?' and thats why some folks get so riled up ?
Adsa
Guest
I would think that Nike would not be real keen to continue sponsoring him if keeps making poor statements and his attitude only serves to alienate fans.
KingCowboy
Guest
I just don't get why people actually care. Has he ever hurt you or your family? It's not like he is part of a team that you support.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Not that we didnt know he was a tosser already. I wouldnt have thought he could count. It annoys me to see someone just pissing their talent away. He could be great if he grew up. The elements are there to be a good player. He got this far, why not continue? Sports greats only have limited earning potential, so make the most of the 10-15 years you have. I used to bowl and I was an above average player, but never good enough to take on the world. I wish i had the talent to do so and if i had, i wouldn't act like a petulant idiot and would actually try my best.
michael barton
Guest
While not wishing to deny Tomic's obvious immaturity in the way that he responds at press conferences, it should be said that the vast majority of us simply don't know what his financial position is. Despite his own comments of playing for another 10 years and then never having to work again, for all we know he could have invested his (mainly past) earnings wisely, thereby already setting himself up for life. Unlikely as this may seem, I only wish to stress that commenting on Tomic's financial position without knowing whether this is the case or not is either silly, or more likely, moralistically paternalistic. Yes, sums can be done about his present earnings and costs, and this can be extrapolated to show that in his current form he definitely will not be making millions in the future, but I cannot help getting the sense that many people delight in predicting financial failure for Tomic, as if his immaturity in personal manner must somehow be deservedly translated into financial failure as well. These two things are not necessarily linked. Whatever I may think of Tomic's personality, if he is indeed 'counting his millions', then good luck (and good management) to him!