The pro tennis Challenger Tour where Bernard Tomic plays right now is a far cry from big stages

Bernard Tomic and Jason Kubler - who’ve played on the world’s biggest stages - walk out onto court six in front of just as many spectators to do battle. Welcome to the lower ranks of pro tennis.

Bernard Tomic keeps his head down as he makes his way onto court six at the Queensland Tennis Centre to the excitement of four eager spectators.

Two patrons whip out phones out and snap pictures of the former world no. 17 who is about to tackle a second round fixture at the low-level Brisbane Challenger.

His opponent is Jason Kubler, a former world no. 1 junior and 2023 Australian Open doubles champion who has endured a career plagued by injuries. Tomic has had his own share of battles and become accustomed to the obscurity of outside courts collecting his own balls.

It’s a far cry from heights he reached at 18 when he became the youngest Wimbledon quarterfinalist since the great Boris Becker or playing in front of 15,000 on Rod Laver Arena.

Court six is nestled between two practice courts with few real viewing points.

“Is that the lord Bernard Tomic?” a wide-eyed spectator asks half jokingly as the crowd builds to nine during the warm up.

“A big run here sets him up to play Wimbledon,” muses another fan.

Tomic still has his followers, desperately hopeful he can squeeze one last rankings rise and grand slam run out of the tail end of his career.

Bernard Tomic hits a forehand against Jason Kubler in the second round of the 2025 Brisbane QTC Tennis Internationals, at Tennyson, on Wednesday, January 28. Photo Steve Pohlner

Early on, Kubler’s coach pulls up a chair. The crowd hits 15.

Not long after Tomic muses: “It’s so hot.”

But he manages to break Kubler early and wins the first set 6-3. The crowd figure has eclipsed 20.

Kubler, who has muttered regularly to himself and his coach frustratedly, reaches boiling point and launches a ball into the neighbouring courts. The release does him good and he claims the second set in a tiebreak after Tomic loses a match point.

The match ticks past the two-hour mark. The quality has been enthralling and wouldn’t have looked out of place at the Australian Open early rounds in the past fortnight.

Bernard Tomic's girlfriend Keely Hannah is among a couple of dozen spectators for his second round Challenger tournament match against Jason Kubler. Picture: Steve Pohlner

But instead of playing for six figures as they have done, they are grinding for ranking points a way back into the limelight.

Kubler has an early break but a thumb cramp forces the 31-year-old to serve underarm.

Tomic breaks back.

The clock ticks towards three hours in the gruelling sun, and Tomic fans note his fitness has increased drastically the past two years.

Tomic wins a point after the ball clips the net and drops impossibly for Kubler. The players look at each other and laugh. It’s Tomic’s day.

Bernard Tomic: “It’s so hot.” Picture: Steve Pohlner

The 32-year-old shoots to a 6-1 lead in the tiebreak and prevails, booking his ticket to the quarters, banking crucial ranking points and keeping alive hopes of a decent career swansong.

Originally published as The pro tennis Challenger Tour where Bernard Tomic plays right now is a far cry from big stages