By Scoop Malinowski
Status: ATP #59.
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 200
DOB: October 21, 1992 In: Stuttgart, Germany
First Tennis Memory: “When I was young I picked up a racquet and have been playing since. I was probably eight. It was a physical, popular thing to play tennis, to hit a ball. My first memory.”
Tennis Inspirations: “Roger and Rafa. Looking up to them the last five years has kickstarted me and made me want to play tennis. And I’m sure for a lot of people as well I think.”
Last Book Read: “Harry Potter [laughs]. Going back ages. But the Harry Potters were interesting to me and I think I managed to read the last four which is great [smiles].”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Wimbledon quarterfinals.”
Most Painful Moment: “[Smiles] Wimbledon quarterfinals (lost to Djokovic in four sets in 2011).”
Favorite Tournament: “I love Melbourne Park, the Australian Open. I love Wimbledon. And Miami is also really nice.”
Which Match Did You Feel At Your Best: “Probably the match I played Robin Soderling at Wimbledon in the third round.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “[Laughs] My dad, my team I think.”
Funniest Player Encountered: “(Sergiy) Stakhovsky is one. He’s a funny guy, nice and chilled. He’s always in the locker room cracking jokes, he makes the players laugh. And he’s a nice guy.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “I’ve had a few quick round exits, like the U.S. Open.”
Strangest Match: “There’s been a few weird ones. I think when I played Alex (Dolgopolov) last year in the Australian Open third round, that was a bit weird for me. It was a big match for us both to play.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Cookies and cream.”
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: “Basketball.”
Three Athletes You Like To Watch And Follow: “Michael Jordan. Usain Bolt. And Lionel Messi.”
Why Do You Love Playing Tennis: “It’s just the one-on-one competitiveness, where I drive myself. I grew up playing team sports but I wasn’t really into that and I think tennis was the right choice for me, being one-on-one. I’d rather do it myself, I think.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Just you try your best whatever you do. Just try to give 100% towards people.”
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Scoop Malinowski · June 25, 2013 at 1:30 pm
Bernard has been a sleeping giant lately but with all the poppa drama and becoming good mates with Hewitt this year – what a great influence for any young player huh? – it’s only a matter of time before Tomic fulfills his enormous potential. THis was a big building block win today for Tomic and he should beat Blake next round.
bjk · June 25, 2013 at 11:09 pm
The swagger gap between Sam Q and Tomic is huge. Tomic looked like he wanted to win and would figure out a way, Sam looked like a man going through the motions. He has such a limited variety of shots – no slice, no touch, same flat serve. But he does have the forehand topspin approach shot, which should be called the American approach. Never worked for Roddick either.
Dan Markowitz · June 26, 2013 at 1:42 am
Johnny Mac had a nice forehand slice or flat shot approach. In all fairness to Querrey, he did come back from 2 sets down although Tomic wasn’t putting up much opposition. Then Querrey said he was upset (he didn’t blame losing the match because of it) that Tomic was allowed an injury timeout at the beginning of the fifth set because he was dizzy.
Querrey’s right, being dizzy does not constitute an injury and Tomic shouldn’t have been allowed to take a timeout and basically stall.
Steve · June 26, 2013 at 7:33 am
I’ve seen Tomic play with the rules before. It’s part of his style of play. I know Scoop believes he’s destined to be #1. Will be a contrast of styles when he plays Blake. I’ll be rooting for the Aussie.
Scoop Malinowski · June 26, 2013 at 9:08 am
Good point BJK, Sam does have a flat, passionless demeanor similar to Wawrinka, like you say, going through the motions. And a limited arsenal too for grass.
Steve · June 26, 2013 at 3:18 pm
It’s Murray’s tourney now unless he chokes.
Scoop Malinowski · June 26, 2013 at 5:22 pm
I think it’s Murray’s tournament too, he skipped Paris to practice two-three extra weeks on grass. He’s got an edge on everybody. Could see it coming down to 5-5 in the fifth vs. Djokovic. For some reason I don’t really enjoy that matchup, the styles are too similar.