Tennis pro Bernard Tomic: I’m better than Nick Kyrgios

A RE-ENERGISED Bernard Tomic has baited ex-Davis Cup tennis teammate Nick Kyrgios, saying he was better than him in their prime – “and I still am”. It’s prompted Kyrgios to hit back.

A RE-ENERGISED Bernard Tomic has baited ex-Davis Cup tennis teammate Nick Kyrgios by saying he was better than him in their prime – “and I still am”.

Despite Tomic – a former world number 17 and Wimbledon quarter-finalist – slumping to 254 in the rankings, he told fans in an Instagram “ask me anything” session he was the better of the two.

Bernard Tomic is back on the training court at a private location on the Gold Coast, in preparation for his big comeback. Picture: Glenn Hamposon

“Obviously Nick is a good player, probably top six or seven servers in the world,” Tomic said, adding he won their only encounter at the Kooyong Classic in 2019, beating him in straight sets 6-3 6-4.

“Because I train with him, I pick where he’s serving and I know where he’s at so that style doesn’t really bother me.”

Asked who was better in their prime, Tomic replied with a thumbs up and cheeky grin: “I still am.”

Bernard Tomic on Nick Kyrgios: “Because I train with him, I pick where he’s serving and I know where he’s at so that style doesn’t really bother me.” Picture: Glenn Hamposon

Kyrgios immediately hit back on his own Instagram disputing Tomic’s view – but also offering plenty of encouragement to Tomic who last week vowed to make a serious commitment to tennis again for a final five or six years of his career.

Kyrgios said they’d played once at the Kooyong Classic, pointing out: “Where people play exhibitions – and yes he did beat me there once.

“But to say that he’s better? I have more titles. I don’t think he has any big scalp to his name, no Rafa, no Federer, no Djokovic. To say that he’s better than me, it’s a bit of a stretch,” Kyrgios said.

Nick Kyrgios. (Photo by Casey Sykes/Getty Images)

“But we all know what BT’s capable of and I wish him the best. I ain’t no jealous person, I want success for everyone – so BT, we know what you are capable of brother, let’s see it,” Kyrgios said.

In an exclusive response to the Bulletin, a relaxed Tomic replied he had beaten Djokovic – once at the Hopman Cup – and had plenty of big name scalps including Grand Slam champions Stanislas Wawrinka and Marin Cilic.

Bernard Tomic holds a one nil record against Nick Kyrgios, beating him 6-3 6-4 in an exhibition at Kooyong in 2019. Picture: Glenn Hamposon

Tomic finished off their verbal banter with his own encouragement: “I want to respond to Nicky boy for his kind words and encouragement. I’m looking forward to seeing him at the Australian Open. I wish him all the best and hopefully we make the Australian public proud.”

It’s unlikely the pair will meet for a second head-to-head in Melbourne next month – to make the main draw and have a chance of running into Kyrgios on court, Tomic must win through three qualifying matches. But he successfully did so last year and said it had surprised him after just a five-week training block and reignited the “fire” within.