Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt has publicly questioned what the future holds for Bernard Tomic, following the latter's dismal performance and subsequent retirement at the NSW Open this week.
A Grim Capitulation in Sydney
The troubling episode unfolded at Sydney Olympic Park, a venue that once hosted Tomic's greatest career triumph – his 2013 Apia International title. This time, however, the scene was far less glorious. Tomic, now 33 and ranked 182nd in the world, retired after just one point in the second set of his round of 32 match against Japanese wildcard Hayato Matsuoka. The entire contest lasted a mere 35 minutes, with Tomic appearing to struggle with a leg injury before throwing in the towel.
Hewitt's Candid Assessment
Hewitt, who is also competing at the NSW Open in the doubles draw with his son Cruz, expressed a mix of admiration and uncertainty regarding his compatriot's career path. "It's a hard one, I don't think anyone fully knows," Hewitt told reporters when asked about the one-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist.
He acknowledged Tomic's tenacity in recent years, playing in far-flung tournaments, including one on clay in Rwanda, a far cry from the centre court stages he once commanded. "You've got to take your hat off to him... He's still going out there and having a crack," Hewitt stated. Despite this, the former champion wonders what drives Tomic, suggesting, "I'm not sure if he doesn't know what else to do.... or he still feels that he's got some unfinished business."
Tomic's Stated Goals and Past Controversies
In a July appearance on the Changeover podcast, Tomic, who achieved a career-high ATP ranking of 17 in 2016, revealed his desire to retire "guilt-free." He stated, "My goal is to be top 100 and then I can retire... It's more of a statement... so let's see if I can do it." He admitted that tennis is the only thing he is good at and cited a challenging upbringing with a father who "pushed me extremely hard."
The article also notes past off-court issues, including a January report from the Daily Mail that Tomic's phone was seized as part of a police investigation into match-fixing, focusing on two matches, including one at the 2022 Australian Open. It is crucial to emphasise that Tomic was never charged with any offences and there is no suggestion he is guilty of any criminal conduct.
With his days in main draws likely over, the question posed by Hewitt and many in the tennis world remains: what is next for the man often described as one of the biggest wastes of talent in Australian sport? Only Tomic himself holds the answer.
