Bernard Tomic breaks his silence to make a shocking revelation about a video showing him brutally beaten by two thugs outside a Gold Coast tattoo parlor.
- Disturbing footage shows tennis star attacked by two men
- Tomic defends against a barrage of kicks and punches
- Star spoke out about the video for the first time
Tennis star Bernard Tomic has revealed a striking detail about the disturbing video of him being beaten by two men as he spoke out about the footage for the first time after it went viral on social media.
The 16-second clip shows the 30-year-old lying on his back and trying to protect his face as the attackers stand over him and deliver a series of kicks and punches, one of men trying to put him back on his feet.
Tomic, who was once ranked world No. 17, appears to have been cornered and punched by the men, whose identities remain unknown.
The images were allegedly taken outside a tattoo parlor on the Gold Coast. In it, a man is heard telling Tomic to “get up, my dog.”
Tomic first addressed the footage in a video he posted to his Instagram account on Saturday evening.
“I’m here in Istanbul, Turkey, flying to the United States and yeah, I haven’t been on Instagram in a few months, I thought I’d jump in and talk about this video that’s been going around,” said he declared to his subscribers. .
“It’s so funny because this happened five or six years ago, so I have no idea why all this is happening now.”
In the video, a man can be heard telling Tomic – seen in the gray tracksuit – to “get your dog up” before unsuccessfully trying to get the tennis star back on his feet.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Queensland Police for comment.
Tomic was playing in a tournament in Turkey when he broke his silence on the footage.
Tomic (pictured with his girlfriend Keely Hannah) claims the video of him being punched was filmed “five or six years ago”.
He lost in three sets to Nick Hardt of the Dominican Republic and was eliminated in the second round of the Challenger Istanbul.
The Australian is currently ranked 292nd in the world and is trying to return to the sport’s elite after falling to 825th.
He began his comeback from that career-worst ranking by winning three tournaments in the final quarter of 2022.
Despite this, he was denied wildcard entry into the Australian Open earlier this year, missing the tournament for the first time since 2008.
The snub also led to the rekindling of his long-running feud with fellow Australian Nick Krygios.
The tennis star (pictured at the 2022 Australian Open) said he had “no idea” why the images suddenly went viral on social media.
When a Twitter user suggested Tomic deserved a wildcard at Melbourne Park, Kyrgios replied: “Hahahahaha NO HE DOES NOT.”
The couple’s colorful history includes the suggestion that they settle their differences in a boxing ring as well as in a ‘winner takes all’ tennis match worth a million dollars (£512,000).
Tomic has responded to being snubbed for a wildcard at his home Grand Slam tournament by saying he will use the setback as motivation.
“I don’t expect any favors. I will prove my point and earn my place,” he said.
“I understand that Tennis Australia has made its decision. It’s good to see young tennis players getting an opportunity.
“I’m at a point in my life where I no longer complain. I’m focused and I’ve been training hard. I’ll let my tennis do the talking.
