Bernard Tomic’s Australian Open qualifying plans still unclear ahead of Fast4 appearance at Kooyong

TENNIS great Pat Cash says to “expect the unexpected” ahead of Bernie Tomic’s appearance at Kooyong as the controversial Aussie confirms he will participate in Australian Open qualifying.

Intrigue surrounds Bernard Tomic and the Australian Open. Picture: Getty

TENNIS great Pat Cash says to “expect the unexpected” ahead of Bernie Tomic’s appearance at Kooyong as the controversial Aussie confirms he will participate in Australian Open qualifying.

Tomic — who has not played in a competitive match since November — confirmed today he would line up at Kooyong on Tuesday against Japanese youngster Yoshihito Nishioka, before playing a qualifier for the Australian Open 24 hours later.

“Yeah, I’m playing, so it starts Wednesday,” Tomic told Nine.

“And it’s going to be good. So I will try.

“The last time (I played in a Grand Slam) I made the quarters at Wimbledon so it is something I’m excited for and hopefully I can play well.”

Asked about being snubbed for an Aus Open wildcard, Tomic would not be drawn.

“I’m not going to say much more, but I’m happy to be down here and we will see how this week goes,” he said.

Bernard Tomic has touched down in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open. @nathantemp7 #7News pic.twitter.com/N0XeSeqBJs

— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) January 8, 2018

Tomic had been set a deadline of Tuesday evening by Tennis Australia, meaning he can still withdraw at any point beforehand.

Tomic went through qualifying at Wimbledon in 2011 and went on to reach the quarter finals. His sister Sara has confirmed she will also contest qualifying for this year’s open, she’s been down at Melbourne Park with her father, though neither would comment on Bernard’s plans.

TV SHOW: TOMIC ALLEGEDLY BOASTS OF $1 MILLION ‘I’M A CELEBRITY ... GET ME OUT OF HERE’ OFFER

THE ODDS: KYRGIOS FIRMS TO CLAIM FIRST GRAND SLAM AT AUS OPEN

IN FORM: KYRGIOS PRIMED FOR AUS OPEN AFTER CLAIMING BRISBANE TITLE

PREPARATIONS: NADAL TO JOIN DJOKOVIC AT KOOYONG

Intrigue surrounds Bernard Tomic and the Australian Open. Picture: Getty

Fast4’s scoring format is designed for speed - first to four games with a short tiebreak, if needed. Most sets last about 20 minutes, entire matches rarely last an hour.

By contrast, world No.1 Rafael Nadal will test his fitness in a full-scale clash with Richard Gasquet over three full sets at Kooyong.

While most players wouldn’t contemplate contesting a grand slam in similar circumstances, Tomic is a different beast.

Melbourne’s 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash shook his head incredulously when Tomic’s name was mentioned and said he’s “never surprised with Bernie”.

“I think you expect the unexpected with Bernie, I think that’s fair to say.”

‘HOW IS THAT A RULE?’: KYRGIOS SLAMS TIME OUT SNUB

SECURITY: ‘COVERT’ AUS OPEN SECURITY TO KEEP FANS SAFE

AUSSIE NO.1: KONTA PRAISES BARTY’S ‘INCREDIBLE’ YEAR

RISING AUSSIE: FOURLIS ON FAST TRACK TO SUCCESS

Pressed further on the topic, Cash said he was “wasting my breath” talking about the fallen baseliner.

Speculation continues to build Tomic is keen to chase a large appearance fee to appear in Network Ten’s “I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!” reality show as his tennis career implodes.

Currently ranked No.140 in the world, Tomic is automatically entered for major events such as the Australian Open.

The Gold Coaster was overlooked by Tennis Australia for a discretionary wildcard into the main draw after rejecting Lleyton Hewitt’s invitation to a training camp.

Rafael Nadal will complete his preparations for the Australian Open at Kooyong.

He then effectively cut communications with one of his staunchest allies by knocking back a place in TA’s wildcard playoff, using insulting descriptions of fellow Australian players in the process.

His attitude alarmed Hewitt, Jason Stoltenberg and Wally Masur — the trio who effectively make wildcard and funding recommendations to TA.

Hewitt is also not convinced by Tomic.

“Yeah. See how he goes. I haven’t spoken to him. It’s going to be interesting if he does play,” Hewitt said on Monday.

“I guess we’ll see where he’s at.

“I’m concerned with where it’s (Tomic’s career) going right at the moment anyway.

“He’s 140 in the world and I think everybody knows that he’s a lot better player than 140.

“So, at the end of the day, he’s just got to commit to the sport and give himself 100 per cent chance every time he goes out to play or on the practice court.”

As it stands, Tomic’s ranking will tumble to about No.170 unless he qualifies and reaches the third round, as he did last January.

Exiled from Davis Cup for “scheduling” reasons, Tomic has not been seen at any of the regular training venues since he ended his 2017 season last November in Slovakia.

PRICELINE CLASSIC KOOYONG ORDER OF PLAY

Tuesday, from 11am

Destanee Aiava v Andrea Petkovic

Rafael Nadal v Richard Gasquet

David Goffin v Pablo Carreno Busta

Bernard Tomic v Yoshihito Nishioka