- Bernard Tomic’s latest results have been the best in years
- The 31-year-old player is approaching the ranking among the top 200
Forgotten Australian tennis star Bernard Tomic reached his biggest professional final in six years, but ended up setting a very embarrassing record in the process.
Tomic, 31, was thrashed in record time by rising American star Learner Tien in the Fairfield Challenger final in San Francisco on Monday morning, losing 6-0 and 6-1 in just 39 minutes.
The former junior world No. 1 said he didn’t have “the legs” to keep up with his 18-year-old opponent after a grueling tournament.
“Once I lost the first two or three games, mentally it was hard to stay the course,” Tomic said afterward.
“I’m sorry I can’t keep up with my legs.”
Tennis journalist Bastien Fachan commented on the situation and noted that the score was the same as when the Australian recorded the fastest defeat in ATP Tour history.
It has been an interesting tournament for Tomic, who was once considered one of the most exciting prospects Australia has ever produced.
Tomic was ranked in the 800 a little over two years ago, and many predicted his tennis career was over.
Bernard Tomic (pictured) created an unwanted record in his first ATP Challenger final since 2018, losing the match in record time.
However, his performance at the Fairfield event had been impressive and, had he won, he could have put himself in the race to qualify for the Australian Open early next year.
Tennis commentator Mike Cation noted how quickly the final was played.
“It feels like we just made introductions,” Cation said.
“That’s A) The apprentice is that good, but B) that’s what happens at the end of the week when someone who is a veteran has put in so much effort during the week, the next level of keeping up with a player.” . of the caliber of Apprentice Tien.
“That will be the question for Bernie going forward, but it will be a fantastic week, the first final in six years, since 2018. It’s a big step for sure, but the day belongs to Learner Tien.”
Tomic has earned 44 ranking points in the tournament, putting him closer to the top 200 than he has been in four years.
The controversial Australian spoke out earlier this year about the mental issues he has endured over the years.
The former junior world number one said after the match that he didn’t have “the legs” to keep up with his 18-year-old opponent.
The controversial Australian (pictured with girlfriend Keely Hannah) has had his best run of results in many years.
‘The tour is very difficult. Tennis is a very isolated sport. It’s very tough mentally and you’re traveling alone,” Tomic told Sportskeeda.
‘You’re not playing a team sport like football or basketball. You are alone. You have to travel a lot and spend a lot of time alone. You need to figure out how to feel mentally good and when to recharge your batteries.
‘I also struggled for three or four years. I have managed to turn it around and feel better mentally. When you travel from a young age for many, many years, it can really take a toll on you mentally.
‘Sport can really exhaust you. You have to figure out what is best for you mentally and always find a way to stay positive and move forward. “In tennis you have to be in a good mental state.”