Novak Djokovic has warned Bernard Tomic that he risks wrecking his career after the Australian threw his latest match before boasting in a press conference that it did not matter because he was worth $10 million.
Tomic is no stranger to controversy but his behaviour during his defeat in the Mutua Madrid Open was, even by his standards, embarrassing for the sport. Facing match point against Fabio Fognini in the first round, he held his racket as though to hit the ball with his handle, before letting his opponent’s serve pass for an ace. As if that were not enough, he then surpassed himself when questioned about his conduct.
“I don’t care about that match point. Would you care if you were 23 [years old] and worth over $10 million
“I don’t care about that match point,” the world No 22 said. “Would you care if you were 23 [years old] and worth over $10 million?”
Tomic’s list of transgressions is lengthy and last July he was charged with resisting arrest in Miami after a particularly noisy penthouse party, although charges were quickly dropped.
Djokovic, a friend and confidant of the Australian, had been aware of the incident on match point but not the subsequent comment. “It’s not right and I hope he realises that, the sooner the better,” he said yesterday. “I think just too many things that he says are not well thought out from his side. He gets emotional very quickly and things get out of context. Unfortunately it fires back right at him.
Advertisement
“As somebody that knows him well, and I really think he’s a good guy, I hope he’s going to get it right.”
Djokovic does practice with Tomic but although he is willing to act as a mentor, the 28-year-old said: “The off-court stuff we didn’t talk too much about but he doesn’t seem to really get things the right way off the court. He’s just failing to be committed to this sport as required.
“Bernard is still relatively young and he can definitely be a better player and better ranked than he is now. But private life and all the decisions you make off the court greatly affect your play.”
Tomic has never enjoyed the European clay-court segment of the tennis calendar, dating back to when he was sent home for not trying in the French Open junior tournament nine years ago. And Tennis Australia, whose disciplinary dossier for the German-born player far outweighs that of the nation’s other often errant talent, Nick Kyrgios, is considering whether to punish him, possibly with omission from Olympic selection.
Andy Murray, trying to keep his world No 2 ranking, was impressive in his 6-4, 6-2 win over the experienced Frenchman Gilles Simon and today faces Tomas Berdych. “It was a good performance and I played smart tennis,” Murray said. Brother Jamie and Bruno Soares were beaten 6-4, 7-6 by John Peers and Henri Kontinen.