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Bernard Tomic Will Be #1 In The World
25 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
I get the feeling sometimes and when I do it always seems to come true. I knew in 1996 Marcelo Rios would be #1. I knew Federer, Nadal and Djokovic would be #1 too, long before it actually happened.
Now I see the same qualities about Bernard Tomic. He’s got all the right stuff. He’s got the game, the mind, the creativity, the desire, the serve, the athleticism, the quiet arrogance, the poise, the uniqueness of character, the ability to dominate at a young age, the class and honor of a champion. It’s all there. Sure, there are some flaws and faults, but all the great champions have them.
Tomic will be #1 in the world. Mark my words.
Oh, and take a look at Tomic’s confidence. When have you have heard a player speak with such adamant self belief? And Tomic is backing up that confidence on the court – he hasn’t lost a match all YEAR, including a straight set win over Djokovic at the Hopman Cup exhibition.
Q. That said, have you set a goal yourself specifically for this year personally?
BERNARD TOMIC: Yeah, I want to reach the top 10. I think it’s very achievable the way I’m going.
I’m going to have so many opportunities, and, you know, hopefully I can win more tournaments this year. You know, I’m looking at every tournament I go into to try and win it. Doesn’t matter who I’m playing, I’m going to try and win.
That’s why I think whoever was on my whoever I played the past few weeks, I beat them because every match I go into I knew I could win. It’s just about me committing, and I was doing that. I’m so happy with myself, and I feel like I can do it and reach the top 10 if I just do those things.
I don’t know when it can happen. You can’t put a time limit on these things, but I know it will.
Q. About that, your goal of reaching top 10, you mentioned that to Jim after the match. When did you sort of decide that and how did you come to that sort of goal? Talk us through that.
BERNARD TOMIC: Well, I mean, everyone’s got goals in tennis, and personally just I want to become, you know, in the top 10 best tennis players, and then potentially move myself into No. 1 in the world. That’s always my goal.
It’s important to have steps on the way and try to reach the top 20, but I think I’m pushing the top 10. It’s far, but I think it’s achievable the way I’m playing.
Once you achieve that I think I’m going to set new goals, but, you know, for that now, I’m going to work as hard as I can to reach top 10.
25 comments
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Steve · January 15, 2013 at 9:16 am
“the quiet arrogance” HAHAHA
Scoop Malinowski · January 15, 2013 at 9:36 am
All the best ones have an arrogance which they conceal, remember Mirka saying how cocky Fed was getting a few years ago? You have to have an arrogance to be the best at tennis or anything.
Steve · January 15, 2013 at 9:51 am
Well, Tomic is doing a horrible job of concealing it.
Scoop Malinowski · January 15, 2013 at 10:42 am
Steve I beg to differ. I think he’s got most of it under wraps at the moment but it’s hard to conceal it all at this particular time ) , now a perfect 9-0 on the season. Brands is gonna get taught a lesson in round two.
Steve · January 15, 2013 at 11:13 am
I guess you suddenly hang your hat on EXO wins but if they both play to their abilities Brands will win. Brands often goes for winners early in rallies. Tomic may won’t be able to build his points.
bjk · January 15, 2013 at 12:18 pm
He needs to add some mph to the serve. At 6’5 his serve is nowhere near good enough.
Dan Markowitz · January 15, 2013 at 1:10 pm
Now let me get this straight, Scoop, you’re saying that a guy who won only 15 matches in his last 23 tournaments last year, is going to be the world No. 1?!!
Here’s his last 23 tournaments last year from Indie Wells:
Basel, Switzerland; 22.10.2012; 500; Indoor: Hard; Draw: 32
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 27 L 0-6, 2-6 Stats
This Event Points: , ATP Ranking: 48, Prize Money: €9,765
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Shanghai, Shanghai, China; 07.10.2012; 1000; Outdoor: Hard; Draw: 56
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R64 Florian Mayer (GER) 25 L 4-6, 0-6 Stats
This Event Points: 10, ATP Ranking: 43, Prize Money: $12,420
Tokyo, Japan; 01.10.2012; 500; Outdoor: Hard; Draw: 32
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) 117 L 4-6, 5-7 Stats
This Event Points: , ATP Ranking: 39, Prize Money: $8,905
Bangkok, Thailand; 24.09.2012; 250; Indoor: Hard; Draw: 28
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 63 W 6-0, 6-2 Stats
R16 Dudi Sela (ISR) 106 W 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 Stats
Q Richard Gasquet (FRA) 14 L 6-7(5), 4-6 Stats
This Event Points: 45, ATP Ranking: 41, Prize Money: $16,170
GER vs. AUS WG Play-Off, Germany; 14.09.2012; DC; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 4
Round Opponent Ranking Score
RR Cedrik-Marcel Stebe (GER) 127 W 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4)
RR Florian Mayer (GER) 25 L 4-6, 2-6, 3-6
This Event Points: , ATP Ranking: 42, Prize Money: $
US Open, NY, U.S.A.; 27.08.2012; GS; Outdoor: Hard; Draw: 128
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R128 Carlos Berlocq (ARG) 44 W 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 Stats
R64 Andy Roddick (USA) 22 L 3-6, 4-6, 0-6 Stats
This Event Points: 45, ATP Ranking: 43, Prize Money: $37,000
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.; 12.08.2012; 1000; Outdoor: Hard; Draw: 56
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R64 Ryan Harrison (USA) 58 W 6-4, 7-6(5) Stats
R32 Brian Baker (USA) 78 W 6-4, 6-3 Stats
R16 Roger Federer (SUI) 1 L 2-6, 4-6 Stats
This Event Points: 90, ATP Ranking: 49, Prize Money: $34,900
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Canada, Toronto, Ontario; 06.08.2012; 1000; Outdoor: Hard; Draw: 48
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R64 Michael Berrer (GER) 131 W 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 Stats
R32 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 2 L 2-6, 3-6 Stats
This Event Points: 45, ATP Ranking: 49, Prize Money: $17,950
London Olympics, Great Britain; 25.07.2012; OL; Outdoor: Grass; Draw: 64
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R64 Kei Nishikori (JPN) 17 L 6-7(4), 6-7(4)
This Event Points: 5, ATP Ranking: 49, Prize Money: £
Gstaad, Switzerland; 16.07.2012; 250; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 28
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Benoit Paire (FRA) 47 L 0-6, 4-6 Stats
This Event Points: , ATP Ranking: 45, Prize Money: €3,670
Stuttgart, Germany; 09.07.2012; 250; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 28
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Bye N/A W
R16 Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) 64 L 6-7(6), 3-6 Stats
This Event Points: , ATP Ranking: 45, Prize Money: €6,200
Wimbledon, Great Britain; 25.06.2012; GS; Outdoor: Grass; Draw: 128
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R128 David Goffin (BEL) 70 L 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 4-6 Stats
This Event Points: 10, ATP Ranking: 28, Prize Money: £14,500
Eastbourne, Great Britain; 18.06.2012; 250; Outdoor: Grass; Draw: 28
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Bye N/A W
R16 Fabio Fognini (ITA) 64 L 6-4, 3-6, 5-7 Stats
This Event Points: , ATP Ranking: 27, Prize Money: €6,985
Halle, Germany; 11.06.2012; 250; Outdoor: Grass; Draw: 28
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Tommy Haas (GER) 87 L 2-5 RET Stats
This Event Points: , ATP Ranking: 27, Prize Money: €6,800
Roland Garros, France; 27.05.2012; GS; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 128
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R128 Andreas Haider-Maurer (AUT) 155 W 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-3 Stats
R64 Santiago Giraldo (COL) 50 L 4-6, 1-6, 3-6 Stats
This Event Points: 45, ATP Ranking: 29, Prize Money: €28,000
Nice, France; 20.05.2012; 250; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 28
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Lukas Lacko (SVK) 63 W 6-2, 6-3 Stats
R16 Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) 55 L 6-3, 2-6, 5-7 Stats
This Event Points: 20, ATP Ranking: 28, Prize Money: €6,885
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome, Italy; 13.05.2012; 1000; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 56
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R64 Santiago Giraldo (COL) 51 W 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 Stats
R32 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 1 L 3-6, 3-6 Stats
This Event Points: 45, ATP Ranking: 32, Prize Money: €15,810
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid, Spain; 06.05.2012; 1000; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 56
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R64 Radek Stepanek (CZE) 26 L 2-6, 5-7 Stats
This Event Points: 10, ATP Ranking: 31, Prize Money: €10,865
Munich, Germany; 30.04.2012; 250; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 28
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Olivier Rochus (BEL) 66 W 6-4, 6-3 Stats
R16 Potito Starace (ITA) 77 W 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3 Stats
Q Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 16 L 4-6, 2-6 Stats
This Event Points: 45, ATP Ranking: 33, Prize Money: €11,685
Barcelona, Spain; 23.04.2012; 500; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 56
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R64 Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 86 W 6-3, 6-4 Stats
R32 Albert Montanes (ESP) 69 L 0-6, 7-5, 5-7 Stats
This Event Points: 20, ATP Ranking: 35, Prize Money: €10,530
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo, Monaco; 15.04.2012; 1000; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 56
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R64 Denis Istomin (UZB) 43 W 6-4, 6-3 Stats
R32 Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) 21 L 2-6, 7-5, 1-6 Stats
This Event Points: 45, ATP Ranking: 36, Prize Money: €15,810
AUS vs. KOR AOG1 2nd Rd, Australia; 06.04.2012; DC; Outdoor: Hard; Draw: 4
Round Opponent Ranking Score
RR Min-Hyeok Cho (KOR) N/A W 7-5, 6-3, 6-3
RR Jung-Woong Na (KOR) 842 W 6-2, 6-1
This Event Points: , ATP Ranking: 36, Prize Money: $
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami, FL, U.S.A.; 21.03.2012; 1000; Outdoor: Hard; Draw: 96
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R128 Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) 74 W 7-6(4), 6-3 Stats
R64 David Ferrer (ESP) 5 L 4-6, 4-6 Stats
This Event Points: 25, ATP Ranking: 36, Prize Money: $12,530
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells, CA, U.S.A.; 08.03.2012; 1000; Outdoor: Hard; Draw: 96
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R128 Gilles Muller (LUX) 73 L
I say you’re getting way too much Florida sun. The guy’s good, and he has a chance only because everyone, including the other Big 3 Young Guns, aren’t very good. You compare Tomic, Raonic, Harrison and Dmitrov to Nadal, Djokovic, Murray and Del Potro, and it’s not even close. The former four are not even as good as Federer, Hewitt, Roddick and Nalbandian, and that’s not even close. So maybe Tomic will get there on just a plain lack of talented players, but I don’t think so.
Mitch · January 15, 2013 at 4:58 pm
Tomic has played well in Australia before. A better gauge of his future success will be how consistent he is throughout this year. If he continues to struggle to motivate himself away from home, he’s not getting close to #1.
Scoop Malinowski · January 15, 2013 at 5:29 pm
No Steve, it’s not the win over Djokovic. It’s been an accumulation of impressive performances over the years, I first saw Tomic playing US Open juniors when he was 14. He stands out, he’s getting better, yes he had hiccups along the way (just like Fed and Agassi and Djokovic) but he’ll figure it out eventually. He’s going to be the grand master of the sport, I feel it and see it.
Scoop Malinowski · January 15, 2013 at 5:30 pm
BJK Tomic’s serve is better this year, the simple motion, height and loose arm are there, eventually it will be a bigger weapon, he’ll have a boomer me thinks.
Scoop Malinowski · January 15, 2013 at 5:33 pm
Dan you’re pointing out Tomic’s bad streak last year, but remember, Agassi, Djokovic and even Federer had bad streaks where they looked terrible and even the sharpest of pundits doubted on them. Tomic is no different. He’ll eventually mature and figure his way out, if he hasn’t already. You have to love the level of his confidence shown in this interview. When is the last time you heard a player speaking with such self assurance? You should be loving Tomic’s colorful confidence. THis guy is taking the bull by the horns and basically saying he feels he’ll kick anybody and everybody’s ass. This is the type of character tennis needs more of.
Steve · January 15, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Brands just took out the #30 in the world and crushed Monfils a few weeks ago. Brands vs. Tomic may be just like your recent final in Florida. Too much power. We’ll see.
If Tomic ever does slice & junk his way to #1 I will take a break from watching tennis and collect stamps or something. I know you favor the junky players a la Murray.
Scoop Malinowski · January 15, 2013 at 6:42 pm
Brands is not in Tomic’s league. I like Tomic because he plays smart tennis, he outthinks the opponent and gives them variety and different shots, keeping them off balance. He plays like a boxer who utilizes a dozen different punches from all different angles. I much prefer watching that kind of intelligent tennis to ball bashers who hit every ball the same way, same speed, same depth. My favorite styles are Dolgo, La Monf, Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, Gasquet, Murray, Lopez, Tomic, Wozniacki, Radwanska, Schiavone.
Steve · January 15, 2013 at 7:13 pm
There’s a pure logic behind power tennis and it’s just as valid as anything else if you have the game for it.
With Tomic you have to to stick you your game and not be sucked in to a junk battle. This is the key. Dolgo sometimes will try to go slice for slice with Tomic and he should just hit flat, powerful strokes a few droppers against him. I’ve also seen Tomic blatantly cheat which is a common trait among garbage men.
adb · January 16, 2013 at 2:10 am
Well, the ‘whole year’ is all of 15 days; 16 in Oz. Great record!
Steve · January 17, 2013 at 1:02 am
2nd set was a travesty of justice. Horrible line call that changed the outcome of this match. To say Tomic is “in a different league” is laughable but he has improved his serve.
Congrats to Brands for battling the garbage man and the crowd and the horrible calls.
Scoop Malinowski · January 17, 2013 at 10:25 am
Steve on this day the two players were very close but Tomic has won a lot more ATP matches so far in his career than Brands has though Brands is having good success lately and is definitely a remarkable player and talent. Remember Dan praising and being impressed by him at Delray Beach three years ago. Seems some of the bigger guys like Rosol, Janowicz, Dr. Ivo, Brands, Isner take longer to get their games together.
Steve · January 17, 2013 at 5:25 pm
It must be weird for Tomic to come up with a plan to play Federer.
Scoop Malinowski · January 17, 2013 at 5:59 pm
There are ways to beat Federer, Tomic can do it. Won’t be easy but he can do it.
Steve · January 18, 2013 at 11:17 am
It was Safin that said to beat Federer you have to run like a rabbit. Was he really saying you have to be on PEDs?
Steve · January 19, 2013 at 9:23 am
Tomic 2.0 is definitely better but his movement is WAY TOO SLOW to trouble the current top guys. He looked to be stuck in mud compared to Federer.
I hope he reigns in the boasting a bit. He doesn’t want to become a Rex Ryan-like character. He seemed to take the straight set defeat well though.
The Fed side of the draw has really produced some fun matches. Gasquet, Seppi, Simon, Tsonga. I like all these guys though it was a bummer to see Delpo, the gentle giant, hang his head in losing to Chardy. Of course Milos is there too.
Scoop Malinowski · January 19, 2013 at 9:32 am
Yeah, a lot of players, especially in the locker room, they idolize Roger. You want to pick up anything you can from this sort of a player. He is the greatest our sport’s ever had. You learn something every time you watch him. I learned something tonight as well.
You use this and you use it in a good way. It’s going to make me a better player. I’m going to keep working hard. Point by point, I’m going to get my opportunities this year again and become a better player.
Q. The choice of serving first, did you get the choice?
BERNARD TOMIC: Yeah. I elected to serve considering I was serving really well the last few weeks. But that didn’t matter first service game (smiling).
Q. Not a great start. Were there a few nerves, a bit tight?
BERNARD TOMIC: Yeah, with sort of him, he starts really well. That sort of player starts really well. He always puts his opponent down.
A lot of players, when you play these sort of players like Roger or Novak, you lose belief before you get into the match. 80 or 90% of players that play the top guys, like with Roger, you lose your belief.
I got in there (on court), I started to think after they mentioned all these Grand Slams leading up, Wimbledon champion six times, six times US Open champion (laughter). Then I was, Oh, crap, it’s Roger. I try to block out who’s on the other side of the net but couldn’t quite do it after that announcement.
Yeah, but then that first service game was important. I lost it. Then I was like, Oh, no.
Q. How different was your mindset going in to face Roger tonight compared with last year?
BERNARD TOMIC: A lot different. You know, I was confident that I could have pushed it. I had a lot more chances than I did last year. I played a lot better than I did last year.
Anything could have happened if I had won that important point in the tiebreak. Giving myself two or three set points would you have been huge to turn the match around.
When he needs it the most, he plays amazing. Today I didn’t hit the right shot, didn’t play the right point when I needed to. He played the right tennis.
Q. Did he say anything in particular to you after the game at the net?
BERNARD TOMIC: Yeah. He said, ‘Keep going, you improved.’ Every time I played him, he mentioned, ‘Well done, Bernie, keep going, keep improving,’ which is a good thing, hearing that from somebody that’s giving some advice. Keep going, keep pushing yourself.
It’s important you take that onboard because, you know, you can become a better player when you get information off the world’s best. You take that onboard and then you can use that to work on whatever you need to work on.
Right now I need to improve. I’m going to keep improving. I’ve improved a lot. But to become someone like him, or even in that area, I’ve got to improve more.
Q. Compare this to the previous meeting.
BERNARD TOMIC: Yeah. Just showed me that I’m playing better each year. You know, I’m pushing myself in the off season. That’s why I’m playing the tennis I’m playing.
He beat me. I’m satisfied with the result here in Melbourne, especially the last few weeks. Just need to see what he does this tournament. I’m backing him to win. I’m sure he has a good chance of winning.
And, yeah, it’s always a good feeling if you can lose to the champion (smiling).
Steve · January 19, 2013 at 10:07 am
Scoop, I don’t think he can get that much faster. He’s not going to dominate the top guys to be #1 with no foot speed and no huge weapon. However winning a slam and being top 10 is possible if he continues to work hard and learn and the stars align.
Andrew Miller · January 20, 2013 at 8:35 am
Hard to see him as #1. Maybe briefly if he starts beating top players.
Scoop Malinowski · January 20, 2013 at 12:22 pm
Tomic will have to get a lot better but I think he will with experience. He is a smart player with so many excellent qualities. He’s young talented confident and driven. I believe it will be either Murray or Tomic as the next #1 after Djokovic. That day has to come, eventually there will be a successor for Djokovic. Tomic is more impressive than any of the other young guns. Let’s see how Raonic does vs. Federer.