Bernie’s back: Tomic set to bid for Australian Open spot

Bernard Tomic is training on the Gold Coast as he prepares to compete for an Australian Open main draw spot next month for the first time in three years.

The former world No.17 and 2011 Wimbledon quarter-finalist’s ranking plummeted as low as 825 in the world during the 2022 season, but at age 32 he has battled back to No.214 – after briefly breaking into the top 200 in October – which means he will be able to contest Australian Open qualifying.

Resurgent Bernard Tomic will try to qualify for the Australian Open next month, as he successfully did in 2021.Credit: Getty Images

A source, who has been in contact with Tomic and wished to remain anonymous, told this masthead he intended to try to qualify for the Australian Open despite some reservations about the hostile reception he might walk into.

Another source familiar with Tomic’s plans, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he had at least considered not competing at the Melbourne major for that reason.

Tomic’s resurgence followed a turbulent period, including a high-profile relationship, then break-up, with OnlyFans content creator Vanessa Sierra, as well as Australia’s Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt vowing never to select Tomic for his country again after a public slanging match between the two.

Tomic played for minimal prizemoney and ranking points on the lowly Futures tour in the past three years before graduating mostly to the ATP Challenger circuit in 2024.

He competed in low-level events in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Qatar, Kuwait, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Turkey, Brazil, Thailand, India, Colombia, Spain, United States and Canada to rebuild his ranking.

Retired Australian Davis Cup representative John Millman, who emerged through the junior ranks in Queensland at a similar time to Tomic, was impressed with Tomic’s willingness to battle on the backblocks of the tour to get back to grand slam level.

“I love it. What an effort for Bernie to get back,” Millman told this masthead.

“Obviously, he’s not the player he once was. I mean, he was top 20 in the world, so he’s not at that level, but to go out there and go through the Futures and Challengers the way he has [was a big effort]. These are really unglamorous tournaments, and I think the general public doesn’t really realise that.

“Unless you live and breathe tennis, you don’t know what they’re like, those Futures and Challengers – it’s a tough tour, you’re not getting paid that much, and you can be going to some far-out places.”

Tomic (right) and former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt have a complicated relationship.Credit: Getty Images

Tomic’s most-recent grand slam appearance was a 6-1, 6-4 defeat to Russia’s Roman Safiullin in the first round of Australian Open qualifying in 2022. During that match, he audibly claimed he had COVID-19 and there was insufficient testing of players.

Tomic was vindicated when he tested positive for the virus post-match.

The last time he made the main draw in a grand slam was a year earlier, when he qualified at Melbourne Park and reached the second round before losing to Canadian Denis Shapovalov in straight sets.

Millman said Tomic had been a bit misunderstood across the years.

“I think it’s probably been a little bit of a tougher upbringing for Bernie than what I had it,” he said.

“I was in maybe a slightly more supportive environment growing up, so I think at times, he’s had to do it pretty tough – and he’s managed to come out the other side of that. I’ve got a lot of time for Bernie, and I think that he made it very young, too.

“I’m not comparing Lleyton and Bernie here whatsoever, but I also remember when people maybe harshly judged Lleyton when he cracked onto the scene.

Tomic with his father and former coach, John.Credit: Getty Images

“You’ve got to remember, he was doing that at 18, 19. I was a lot different at 18 and 19 [than I am now]. I was a very different person, you mature – and I think Bernie has matured, too.”

Nick Kyrgios will also return from two injury-ruined years at next month’s Australian Open.

However, a source familiar with the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told this masthead the 29-year-old was set to use his protected ranking, which injured players can apply for when they miss an extended period, rather than receive a wildcard.

An ATP spokesperson confirmed Kyrgios’ protected ranking was No.21. Tennis Australia was contacted for comment.

Swiss great and 2014 Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka, who turns 40 in March, is poised to score a wildcard, but Japan’s Kei Nishikori – a four-time quarter-finalist in Melbourne – will not.

High-profile wildcard recipients, such as Venus Williams (dual runner-up) and Caroline Wozniacki (2018 champion), typically must have made a final to be in contention. Tournament boss Craig Tiley makes the call on those wildcards.

Assuming world No.105 Max Purcell sneaks into the main draw as a direct entrant, fellow Australians Alex Bolt, Tristan Schoolkate, Li Tu, Omar Jasika and James McCabe appear to be jostling for four men’s wildcards.

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