Former world no. 17 Bernard Tomic is 30 years old now and ranked 430 and if you think he’s finished, you got another thing coming.
Tomic, who just a few years ago practiced with his Mizuno shoes untied in Delray Beach and was spotted grabbing and eating a quick lunch just minutes before a 12 noon stadium court doubles match also at Delray Beach, has been working and training very hard to revive his shipwrecked career.
Tomic, the winner of four ATP singles titles and a 186-182 career match record (good enough for over $6.3 million in career prize money) is playing the Monterey Mexico Challenger this week and as a qualifier today he won his first round match vs Juan Pablo Ficovich 76 61. In the quali draw Tomic beat Ireland’s Osgar O’Hoisin 61 64 and Federico Zeballos 62 63.
This year has been fair results by Tomic. In his first 2023 tournament Tomic reached the finals of the ITF Doha $15,000 losing to 780 ranked Kristjan Tamm 64 76. Then at Doha $25,000 ITF he reached the semis where he defaulted after a rugged QF win 892 ranked Jacopo Berrettini 67 61 64. Then at Zahra, Kuwait he retired in the round of 16 to 298 ranked Benjamin Hassan 57 21.
Last year Tomic’s ranking fell to 825 in September after he started 2022 ranked 262 during AO qualies where he lost first round to Ramon Safiullin 16 46.
Now coached by his sister Sara Tomic, Bernard will next play in the second round vs 2 seed Emilio Gomez, the 31 year old son of former Roland Garros champion Andres Gomez.
Tomic’s public statement in Monterey after his wins: “Slow and steady win the race.”
Australia · Bernard Tomic · Mizuno · Yonex
Cory · February 23, 2023 at 10:59 pm
He is lanky and lumbers around… surely for a body like that there is a ticking clock. Maybe i’m overstated but… add his motivation issues and you have a player who almost certainly will never return to top 100.
Tomaz Bellucci retiring, i’m sure u saw. Geez he spent the last 5+ years on challenger circuit from what i remember… could never get back to that top 50 area.
Cory · February 23, 2023 at 11:08 pm
Oh god… as i said this, i see now that Tomic beat Emilio Gomez. Gomez good form lately, would think he’d have it. Paire loses to Watanuki… surely he’s done.
Scoop Malinowski · February 24, 2023 at 7:30 am
Cory, important win for Tomic to beat a legit top 100 player in Gomez, good things ahead for Tomic, he’s never been more serious or dedicated as he is now. Possible candidate for comeback player of the year if he keeps this up. No wildcard help either.
Scoop Malinowski · February 24, 2023 at 7:32 am
Cory, that’s the difference now, Tomic’s motivation is there now. I follow him on instagram and he’s always showing training videos and training in gym, he’s a different guy now, he wants back to ATP prominence and relevance. He believes he can do it, his game can handle this new generation. If he believes then that’s all that matters.
Scoop Malinowski · February 24, 2023 at 7:35 am
Bellucci was a talented explosive lefty, had some highlights moments and good matches, even a title I think. Had the body and game maybe the head was the weakness. Very nice guy, we did a Biofile at Sarasota Open about five years ago, maybe too nice.