Tomic qualifying for Australian Open was ‘risky business’

Bernard Tomic quipped he risked his life to qualify for the Australian Open but others overcame debilitating issues to make the main draw

Bernard Tomic quipped he had put his life at risk to keep his career alive but some of his peers have overcome adversity to qualify for the Australian Open Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

The first challenge of an historic Australian Open is complete with qualifying in the Middle East producing a full complement of entrants for the main draws in Melbourne.

The sole Australian qualifier was Bernard Tomic, who quipped he had “put his life at risk” to qualify in a global pandemic.

But some of the Queenslander’s fellow competitors are players who have overcome great hurdles in their careers to earn the right to play in the 2021 Australian Open.

Englishwoman Fran Jones was told by doctors early in her life that she would never make it as a professional player. She proved them wrong and was in dynamic form in qualifying.

The 20-year-old has ectrodactyly ectodermal dysplasia syndrome, a rare genetic condition that saw her born with three fingers and a thumb on each hand, and three toes on one foot and four on the other.

She plays with a lighter racquet, complete with a far smaller grip, than her rivals and has concentrated on core strength and balance in the gym to counter the hindrance in her movement caused by her feet.

But her talent is clear. Jones defeated Monica Niculescu, who has been ranked inside the top 30, in the first round of qualifying and blitzed Lu Jiajing to book her first flight to Melbourne.

“I am just playing with a different set of cards,” she said. “I use it as a positive and advantage in many ways. I’m not playing out of revenge. I’m playing to have a positive impact on people who read my story.”

Among the 32 players who progressed through qualifying are a former grand slam finalist in Sara Errani, who has battled the yips on serve, and a 17-year-old prodigy tipped for greatness in Carlos Alcaraz.

Elias Ymer, a Swede of Ethiopian heritage, has joined his younger brother Mikael in the main draw.

Rebecca Marino was considered a bright hope for Canada before the emergence of Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard, who suffered another setback when failing to qualify.

Once ranked as high as 38, Marino walked away from tennis in 2013 due to severe depression, with social media bullying a factor in her retirement.

She found joy in rowing while studying English literature at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, before making a return to tennis on the lower rungs in 2017.

The pandemic interrupted her comeback last year. But after a fine week in Dubai, Marino will play her first grand slam event since an appearance in Melbourne in 2013.

Tomic, meanwhile, sparked another frenzy with his words following his triumph over fellow Queenslander John-Patrick Smith in a deciding-set tie-breaker on Thursday.

The observation that he had put his “life at risk” to keep his Australian Open dreams alive sparked mirth and disbelief in some quarters.

But the context of the quotes – the 28-year-old was also critical of the media coverage he has received – is also important and benign when put in context.

It was said during light-hearted banter with senior AAP journalist Darren Walton, a reporter he is friendly with.

The Queenslander was forced to pick up his own balls between points this week, which is a world removed from the centre courts of Melbourne Park and Wimbledon.

But the injury and controversy -plagued Tomic deserves credit for qualifying, even if the four-time tour title winner is below the peak form that saw him reach a ranking of 17 in 2016.

His commitment is encouraging. Tomic earned his spot with three tight wins on successive days, spending more than eight hours on the court.

It is a fair bet the 2011 Wimbledon quarterfinalist, who will be the 11th Australian man in the main draw, slept every minute of the 15-hour flight from Doha to quarantine in Melbourne.

Tomic, who has reached the last 16 in Melbourne three times, now has an opportunity to spend at least two hours on court and another two in the gym every day over the next fortnight.

Without the distractions that have undermined him in recent years, the fallen prodigy may well arrive at Melbourne Park in the best physical shape he has been in for an Australian Open.

What. A. Story.

20-year-old Francesca Jones has qualified for the @AustralianOpen main draw after being told by doctors that she wouldn't be able to play tennis 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dXHOFZopTV

— ITF (@ITFTennis) January 13, 2021

Bernard Tomic has earned his place in the #AO2021 main draw https://t.co/PqyvfITSW3

— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) January 13, 2021

Bernard Tomic has earned his place in the #AO2021 main draw https://t.co/PqyvfITSW3

— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) January 13, 2021