Ron Reed: Bernard Tomic should have a crack or get out
BOXER Jeff Horn is the toast of the nation, not simply because he defeated the legendary Manny Pacquiao but because of the inspirational way he went about it, writes Ron Reed.
Opinion
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BOXER Jeff Horn is the toast of the nation — destined to be acclaimed sportsman of the year — not simply because he defeated the legendary Manny Pacquiao but because of the inspirational way he went about what most of the world considered mission impossible.
NEW AUSSIE HERO JEFF HORN SET FOR FAME AND FORTUNE
BERNARD TOMIC ADMITS FEIGNING INJURY AND BEING ‘BORED’ DURING FIRST-ROUND WIMBLEDON LOSS
He had a red-hot go.
Even when badly hurt and staring at defeat — the referee told him precisely that — he fought back with immense courage and prevailed.
That’s why even if he had not dethroned the serial world champion, Horn would have been applauded out of the ring having earned respect and admiration.
“Having a go” is central to everything Australians demand from people who represent the country in any field of endeavour but especially in sport.
Which is why timid tennis player Bernard Tomic’s spiritless exit from Wimbledon and his subsequent admission he wasn’t really trying and didn’t care has generated a tidal wave of scorn, and not for the first time.
His performance on the court was the polar opposite of his fellow Queenslander’s in the ring and a lot people are offended by it.
Tomic was only one part of an embarrassing first round of the world’s greatest tournament, with all six Australian men — the others were Nick Kyrgios, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Jordan Thompson, John Millman and Andrew Whittington — winning just two sets between them. But he was the one who copped it between the eyes from his peers and the public because at least the equally flaky Kyrgios had an excuse — he was injured, although that’s possibly because he doesn’t train hard enough — and the others were arguably out of their depth, as John Newcombe suggested.
Australian tennis had a reason to celebrate this week, not cry into its Pimm’s and strawberries. It is the 30th anniversary of one of the nation’s finest sporting moments, Pat Cash’s 1987 triumph over Ivan Lendl, for which I was fortunate enough to be on hand. The feisty Melburnian’s celebrations were something to behold, including his “wild colonial boy” climb into the grandstand to embrace his family and coach. So it was surprising to read his admission in the Herald Sun that it took him 15 years — long into retirement — to gain any real pleasure from such a monumental feat.
Mere mortals, of course, have difficulty in coming to terms with the concept of achieving fame and fortune by playing sport — something millions do far from the bright lights of stardom for no reward except the satisfaction of, yes, having a go — and not enjoying it.
But there are plenty of reasons why it is far from unheard of. You only have to check out the unusually crowded list of AFL footballers who have taken time off because of depression this season.
Whether Tomic should be cut some slack because of that is up for debate but it seems unlikely it would get much traction. Precisely why he admits to so little motivation or interest is unclear — he probably doesn’t really know himself — but at least he is honest about it. He just seems to have been born without the same competitive gene, or at least far less of it than — to name just two of very many — Horn or his own predecessor, Lleyton Hewitt, both blessed with double doses.
As was Cash, who is heavily invested in the sport these days as a coach and commentator. His insightful take on Tomic borders on despair. “I understand its tough out there but I don’t know where Bernie is at,” he said.
“He’s got to do some labour and see what it’s like to work out there. Too rich too early.” Is he a disgrace to Australian tennis? “I don’t want to stick the boot in — he’ll have to do a lot worse than that to ruin our reputation — but there are a lot of guys cringing.”
Should Tomic be ashamed of all this? Well, no. If that’s who he is then so be it. If he can float first-class around the world, effortlessly — an appropriate descriptor — earning enough never to have to work simply because his talent far outweighs his commitment, he is entitled to do so. It’s his life.
There are problems with that, though. It’s such a waste — and that’s always sad, seeing someone squander their best chance in life.
It invites an absence of respect from the world around you — and that is never going to sit easily, no matter how blasé you are.
And it just doesn’t ring true. Tomic admitted as much when he said: “I’ve got to find a way back and enjoy tennis.”
If he can’t or won’t do that, perhaps — as many are suggesting — he should just walk away and find something else to do with his life and let tennis get on without him. If this is his best offer, he won’t be much missed.
Ron Reed is a Herald Sun columnist and chief writer for about-to-be-launched sports website sportshounds.com.au
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