Can Bernard Tomic save himself from himself?

WHETHER Bernard Tomic appears on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here or not is academic - utterly meaningless in fact. At just 25 escapism has become his calling card and it’s all his own making. He needs help — fast — writes Leo Schlink.

What’s next for Bernard Tomic? Picture: Michael Klein

THE last time Bernard Tomic — current whereabouts unknown — left the Australian Open in such ignominy, he headed straight to the operating theatre for double hip surgery.

That was four years ago, a seeming lifetime.

He returned to claim a top-20 ranking, a significant and deserved achievement.

When Tomic exited Melbourne Park on Sunday, perhaps never to be seen again in grand slam battle, he headed into the unknown.

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What’s next for Bernard Tomic? Picture: Michael Klein

Whether he appears next on Network Ten’s “I’m A Celebrity ... get me outta here!” is academic. In fact, utterly meaningless.

What matters most is how Tomic can be saved from himself.

Now estranged from Lleyton Hewitt — once his staunchest ally outside of the Tomic household — and key members of the Australian Davis Cup family, Tomic has never been more isolated.

That is all his own making.

As of yesterday, the first day of an Australian Open main draw he should have been contesting, Tomic is not entered for any ATP Tour level events for the next six weeks.

His name also does not appear on the secondary Challenger level, either.

Tomic, at just 25, has effectively vanished, hardly surprising given escapism has become his calling card over the past 18 months.

Tomic no longer has Aussie Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt to lean on. Picture: Mark Evans

Rarely inclined to practice court toil, Tomic’s lack of conditioning during cutthroat qualifying rounds became clearer with each match.

In his prime, the former world No 17 would have wiped the court with the admirable Lorenzo Sonego, ranked No 218th.

Talent propelled Tomic into the top 20; laziness, coupled with burnout, torpedoed what he had established.

Now, without structure, without meaningful allies, the Queenslander is in the wilderness.

There are plenty of people willing to help but there are only so many times they are prepared to be snubbed.

For those who know Tomic best, there are concerns over a lack of acquired life skills.

Few in the sport have a better feel for survival inside the white lines but few in tennis have ever looked as lost off the court.

Tomic needs help in a hurry — regardless of whether he reappears on a tennis court any time soon.

Will we see Bernard Tomic at grand slam level again? Picture: AAP