Bernard Tomic closing in on tennis grand slam comeback

He’s been forgotten and virtually disowned in Australian tennis circles, but Bernard Tomic has quietly been improving his ranking.

Bernard Tomic could be about to make a return from the tennis wilderness.

The bad boy of Australian tennis who went from winning ATP tournaments and reaching No. 17 in the world rankings to the Challenger circuit and a ranking in the 800s has gradually been working his way back, largely out of the spotlight.

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The just turned 32-year-old did make a few headlines this month after Tomic lost the shortest Challenger final ever, a 6-0 6-1 defeat to American Learner Tien at an event in Connecticut.

But the fact he has been reaching the pointy end of those tournaments has allowed his ranking to improve to No. 200, his highest mark in almost five years.

More importantly, the top 200 gives him an opportunity to get himself back into the grand slam picture, including the Australian Open.

Tomic, seen here in Melbourne in 2022, has gradually improved his ranking. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

If he can maintain or improve his current standing, he will have eligibility to contest qualifying for his home slam, where he was once a young darling before becoming a disappointing firebrand in most people’s eyes.

He would also have the possibility of being handed a wildcard into the main draw, although that would seem far less likely at this stage.

Despite the one sided decider against Tien, it was a strong tournament for Tomic, who reached his first Challenger final in six years and improved his ranking to 207th in the world.

He won four matches including four tie-break sets to make the final.

Last week, Tomic won two more matches at a Challenger event in Calgary before losing in the quarter-final, improving his ranking to No. 200.

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While his results and ranking have improved, 2024 has been another rollercoaster year for the one-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist.

In August he was unceremoniously booted from the stands of a tournament in the Dominican Republic for heckling the player who had bested him just days earlier.

Tomic, who had been sent tumbling from the RD Open in Santo Domingo after a 6-2 6-2 loss to Ecuadorean Andres Andrade, apparently couldn’t let the defeat go.

When Andrade advanced to the final the next day, Tomic took it upon himself to shadow his every move from the stands, moving around the venue to ensure he was always at the same end of the court as his former opponent.

As Tomic’s antics escalated, tournament officials intervened, ejecting him early in the second set.

Tomic ejected for heckling rival.

The crowd responded with a raucous cheer as Tomic was escorted out, much to the relief of Andrade.

“I want this guy to be taken out,” Andrade was heard saying, clearly fed up with the distraction.

The chair umpire confirmed Tomic’s removal and assured Andrade that the Australian wouldn’t return.

In June, Tomic retired mid-match at the Little Rock Open in the US state of Arkansas.

Tomic had been battling illness and called for a doctor several times. He got into an argument with his girlfriend Keely Hannah, who was sitting in the stands, about how he got sick.

“Bernard and his girlfriend just continuing to argue,” the ATP Challengers commentator said.

Tomic competing at the 2021 Australian Open. Pic: Michael Klein

“The long and short of it, Bernie saying, ‘You tested positive for Covid today’, girlfriend saying, ‘No, that was two weeks ago’.

“I did not anticipate having to commentate a couple’s quarrel here — but here we are.

“Either way, uncomfortable for all the fans here, who are just wanting to see a little bit of tennis tonight, but I don’t know that they’re going to get it.”

Tomic eventually retired after just five points in the second set.

His girlfriend immediately got up from her seat and left the grandstand.

Apart from that Wimbledon quarter-final way back in 2011 and three fourth round appearances at the Australian Open, Tomic has four career tournament victories, including the Sydney International in 2013.

Originally published as Bernard Tomic closing in on tennis grand slam comeback