While Mischa Zverev finds himself in the second round of Wimbledon, it’s his opponent who will be making more headlines. That’s because Bernard Tomic gave a candid post-match interview that once again raises questions about the Australian’s career.
The No. 27 seed Zverev defeated Tomic 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in their first round match on Court 14. Afterwards, Tomic said he felt “bored” during the entire match.
“I don't know why, but, you know, I felt a little bit bored out there.You know, to be completely honest with you. So I tried at the end and stuff, he managed to win that set 6-3 or 6-4, but it was too late.”
When asked by a reporter if he should return his prize money, Tomic quipped, “Well, if you ask (Roger) Federer to give back $500 million, would he do that or not?”
Zverev, who lost to Tomic at Eastbourne last week, said that Tomic lacks the intensity of other players like Rafael Nadal.
Tomic later was asked about what the sollution is to his struggling career that finds him ranked No. 59 in the world.
“Well, to be completely honest, like I said before, it's tough, you know. I'm 24. I have done, came on tour at 16, 17. I have been around and feels like I'm super old, but I'm not. So, you know, just trying to find something, you know, this is my 8th Wimbledon or 9th I think. I'm still 24,and it's tough to find motivation, you know. Really, me being out there on the court, to be honest with you, I just couldn't find any motivation.To me, this is one of the biggest tournaments in the world that I have done really well in my career, and, yeah, I just couldn't find anything. It's happened to me a lot. Just can't find anything on the court.”
When asked point blank if he feels he should work harder, Tomic replied, “Sometimes I do; sometimes I don't, you know. You know, I'm just speaking honest truth about it. You know, some weeks I play well and beat a bunch of players and do super well intournaments.That's sort of what brought me in the past couple years in the top 20, when I was 19 and 20, 20s, 25 in the world. I was enjoying it. But now it's a roller coaster, and I just can't seem to find, like, the commitment to work hard, to enjoy, and to lift trophies. Maybe I have to look at a few things and maybe play less tournaments. But to me right now, I'm just not super pleased, not happy with myself, but I'm in between.”
Tomic was once touted as a future No. 1. Despite reacing a career high of No. 17 in the world, Tomic has yet to make the next push to propel him into the top 10. While some feel like Tomic’s best days are behind him, the Aussie is still hoping there’s better days ahead.
“I just believe playing many years on tour now has sort of come, taken a toll. You need to find that sort of energy. I'm just trying to find something. Now heading into the U.S. maybe play well in some tournaments there. Nothing to lose. Just try and enjoy it.”