After convincing Tennis Australia that he had done enough to warrant a wild card into the Australian Open, Bernard Tomic has failed to impress in his rain interupted opening match in Sydney. Alexandr Dolgopolov beat Tomic 6-7, 6-1, 6-2.
Rain had stopped the match at one set each and when play resumed it was clear the more experienced player was handling the conditions better.
The loss comes just days after Tomic, who has barely played in the last 6 months, said he was a more consistent player. “I’m moving a lot better and serving a lot better, that’s why I can I think consistently beat players now. Before my serve wasn’t working and I was relying more on my groundstrokes and I didn’t move as good. Now I’m serving a lot better and I’m moving much better, and that’s why I think I can win matches against these guys now consistently.”
Dolgopolov then stepped up to beat American Sam Querrey.
Former player Pat Cash has said that Tomic needs a new coach to take the next step. “He definitely needs somebody, there’s no doubt. The sooner he finds somebody, the better. It’s tricky. You need to find the right coach and you need to find someone who will go full time.
They don’t need to put up with all the dramas, the top coaches, and that’s why he’s struggling to find somebody and he has been for a few years now. Bernard has got plenty of years left. I think it very much depends on his attitude and the way he has performed.
I think there is a point for not giving him a wild card and there is a point for giving him a wild card, but it’s not my choice.”
