Tomic Starts His Engine in Monte-Carlo Opener

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Mark Howard

(April 16th, 2012) Bernard Tomic is ready to race ahead in Monte-Carlo.

The young Australian star, who earned headlines back in January for his run-in with Queensland authorities over his driving style, is ready to start his engines again but in a new place.

Tomic, who is competing this week at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters event, recently confirmed that he is now a resident of the tax-friendly city, a haven for many top tennis pros including current World No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

"This is my new home," Tomic told reporters today in Monte-Carlo. "This is where I have to spend most of my time. Australia is too far to travel."

Another draw for Tomic in making Monte-Carlo his new home may also be the lure of purchasing a new sportscar in a city where seeing luxury speedsters waiting for the light to change is nothing new. But Tomic has resisted the urge to buy a new Maserati while he still hopes to sell the notorious orange BMW that caused him so much trouble down under.

While waiting to get his new wheels, Tomic got his game in gear during his first match of the event as he took care of Denis Istomin 6-4, 6-3 to set up an anticipated battle against No. 16 seed Alexandr Dolgopolov in a rematch of their entertaining encounter in the third round of the Australian Open that Tomic won in five sets.

Tomic is aware of his bad-boy reputation and it appears the local Monte-Carlo police are too based on an recent encounter Tomic's father had in town.

"A policeman here, he pulled my dad over while walking. The guy asked him for his licence. Just a random check," said Tomic during his press conference after winning his match today.  "The guy followed tennis, and he asked: 'How is it going with the car?"

Safe to say, Tomic might be better of relying on someone to else do the driving for him this week.