Bernard Tomic quotes through the years: From hungry, young kid to possible lost cause

SOMETIMES it’s easy to forget Bernard Tomic wasn’t always the cash-counting millionaire with little interest in fulfilling his potential. His career in quotes reflects the true sadness of his tennis demise.

The bizarre demise of Bernard Tomic.

IT’S sometimes easy to forget Bernard Tomic wasn’t always the cash-counting tennis millionaire with little interest in fulfilling his potential.

The controversial 25-year-old is copping it again over his bizarre post-match comments after missing out on qualification for the Australian Open.

“I just count money, that’s all I do. I count my millions,” Tomic said on Sunday when asked what was next after a three-set loss to Italian Lorenzo Sonego.

“You go do what I did. You go make 13-14 million. Good luck guys. Bye bye.”

Tomic’s sarcastic twist to his public persona isn’t exactly surprising these days. But it’s another sad moment for a player who once promised so much and declared he had “the heart of Lleyton Hewitt”.

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BERNARD TOMIC QUOTES THROUGH THE YEARS

“I still need to find the serve of Ivanisevic and the groundstrokes of Federer. I’m halfway there with the mind of Sampras. I’ve already got the heart of Lleyton.” — late 2006

In an interview with Inside Sport , a 14-year-old Tomic made no secret of what kind of player he was going to be an what he was going to achieve: become No.1 in the world and win all four grand slams.

Tomic had confirmed his promise by winning the under 14 division of the most prestigious junior tournament in the world, the Orange Bowl.

Bernard Tomic in March 2006.

“I love all the competition in tennis, the battle, the trophies, the winning, coming back when no-one thinks you can, like Lleyton.

“Even when I’m not playing for a few weeks when I have a holiday, I feel so hungry to come back and win tournaments.” — 2006

Around the same time, Tomic told Trans World Sport of his love for the game and desire to quickly fulful his potential.

“In five years, who knows where I could be. At the top, or anywhere.”

‘I’d love to reach the top 10. You know, everyone has dreams in their life to become something special, reaching No. 1 in the world. But, you know, I would love to, you know, play Davis Cup for Australia at the youngest age, be up there with those guys one day and competing against them. — January 26, 2008

Tomic on his long-term goals after the greatest achievement of his career to date, winning the Australian Open junior title aged 15. Tomic also made his senior debut this year, making it to the second round of qualifying.

Bernard Tomic playing in 2008 Australian Open qualifying.

‘Well, look, really tired. To finish at this time, it’s tough. You know, look, I have no excuses. But I think if I’d have played during the day, which I requested, it could have been all changed. I think I should have won. Name me any sport you play at 1am or 2am in the morning, except this. Especially me, at my age, it’s difficult.’ — January 20, 2010

One of the earliest controversies of Tomic’s career, these comments came after a controversial loss to Marin Cilic in the Australian Open second round. He later admitted his criticism of officials was “harsh” and refocused to win a Challenger event two weeks later, sending his ranking soaring to a career-high 110th in the world.

‘I’m proud of myself. What a player Novak is. I think I gave it, yeah, as much as I could today. I was not too far off, but he’s a better player than me at this stage ... (this tournament), it’s just shown me, you know, what player I am, how I can compare and play against these players. You know, it’s shown me what I’m capable of doing in the future.’ - June 29, 2011

Tomic, then 18, stunned the tennis world by becoming the youngest man since Boris Becker in 1986 to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals. He lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in four sets but rocketed up the rankings to No.71.

Bernard Tomic shakes hands with Novak Djokovic after their 2011 Wimbleon quarter-final.

‘I think having played all the top four guys now and Roger twice, I think there is a lot for me in the future. I’m always going to get better and better. You know, looking back a year I was not as good as now. And, you know, now looking back to next year, I’ll probably be even better. That’s a scary part for me because I know I can improve a lot.’ — January 22, 2012

Tomic spoke optimistically about his development and the future after a fourth round defeat to Roger Federer at the Australian Open, and with good reason. His ranking reached as high as No.27 during a strong 2012 campaign, despite following his Wimbledon heroics a year earlier with a first-round exit.

‘That is how I play. Do you have a problem with that? If you think that it’s up to you.’ — August 31, 2012.

Tomic also struck controversy at the US Open, where he was accused by US legend John McEnroe of not giving his best effort in a second-round loss to Andy Roddick. Tomic snapped at an Australian reporter when asked about the criticism.

‘Now that I know what it feels like to win a tournament, and it’s the best feeling in the world ... I feel unstoppable. I feel like I’m playing great tennis. When you know that no-one can beat you, not even the No. 1, you got a good feeling. It’s amazing stepping on court.’ — January 12, 2013.

The summer of 2013 was a memorable one for Tomic. He claimed a first career title at the Sydney International, beating Kevin Anderson in the final, after defeating Novak Djokovic at the Hopman Cup a week earlier.

‘Truly, from my side, they (the ATP) are not doing the right thing. As a player, they should be protecting me and doing the best for me. He is my coach and I’ve lost a coach now that should be travelling with me on the tournaments and going to my matches and it’s difficult ... I’m on my dad’s side and always will be.’’ — June 24, 2013.

Controversy struck again when Tomic’s father and coach John was banned by the ATP after being charged with assaulting Bernard’s former training partner Thomas Drouet after the Madrid Masters. Tomic took aim at the ATP’s stance at Wimbledon but managed to perform well, losing narrowly to Tomas Berdych in the fourth round.

Bernard Tomic with dad John in Madrid in 2013.

‘I felt like I did the best as I could, and I’m happy that I’m coming back. Hopefully in a little bit of time I can get back to 100 per cent. It’s not easy, but I’m trying, doing everything and trying my best to get there.’ — March 22, 2014

Tomic made a return from hip surgery at the Sony Open but lasted just 28 minutes on court against Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen in the shortest ever ATP match on record. His ranking continued to slide but he bounced back to claim a second career title in Bogota in July.

‘To be honest with you, I would love to lie and say yes, I work harder, but really I don’t and that’s the one thing I need to do this year.’ — January 15, 2016

Tomic appeared to confirm what many in tennis circles had suspected during the lead-up to the Australian Open. Despite the admission, he had a strong summer and reached a career high of No.17.

‘If he (Federer) believes I’m so far from the top 10, I believe my prediction is he’s nowhere near Novak’s tennis right now ... when I’m playing well, I’m a top eight player in the world.’ - January 24, 2016

Despite his ranking improvement Federer had questioned whether Tomic as ready to fulfil his promise of becoming a top 10 player. Tomic didn’t take the comments well.

‘Nick’s sitting down in Canberra. Bull*** he’s sick.’ — March 6, 2016

Tomic hit out at compatriot Nick Kyrgios in stunning fashion, delivering this mid-match complaint to captain Lleyton Hewitt during a Davis Cup loss to John Isner. Tomic appeared to feel the pressure of being Australia’s clear spearhead with Kyrgios out injured.

Bernard Tomic in Davis Cup action for Australia.

‘I will put my b***s in your mouth. And I will give you some money to make you feel good.’ — August, 31 2016

Tomic was caught lashing out a spectator with the vile comments at the US Open, though there were claims he was badly provoked during a four-set loss to Damir Dzumhur.

‘I don’t know why, but I felt a little bit bored out there to be honest with you. I feel holding a trophy or doing well, it doesn’t satisfy me anymore.’ - July 5, 2017

Tomic shocked the tennis world with a jaw-dropping press conference performance after a meek straight sets loss to Mischa Zverev in the first round at Wimbledon. It came after a dismal start to the season in which Tomic’s began tumbling and his explosive comments suggested he had lost all interest in fulfilling his potential.

‘I would tell my younger self, ‘don’t play tennis.’ Do something you love and enjoy, because it’s a grind, and it’s a tough, tough, tough life.’ — July 24, 2017

Tomic doubled down on his Wimbledon comments in a tell-all interview with Channel 7’s Sunday Night. Shown a video of himself as a 12-year-old talking about his tennis dreams, Tomic delivered the sad response above while revealing he was now solely motivated by winning money.

Bernard Tomic during Australian Open qualifying.

‘I just count money, that’s all I do. I count my millions. You go do what I did. You go make 13-14 million. Good luck guys. Bye bye.’— January 14, 2018

The latest bizarre comment in what has become one of Australian sport’s saddest stories.

From a youngster with so much promise, who promised so much, Tomic is seemingly now a confused and lost man.

At 25, Tomic still has time on his side to turn things around. There’s plenty he’s capable of achieving.

But these years are meant to be the peak of his career and Tomic is wasting them as tennis moves on without him.

With ever day that passes it gets harder to see the big dreams of Tomic — the kid with the ‘heart of Lleyton Hewitt’ who told us he just loved tennis, winning and the battle — ever being realised.

Originally published as Bernard Tomic quotes through the years: From hungry, young kid to possible lost cause