Bernard Tomic may not receive a direct starting place for the Australian Open. The organisers of the first Grand Slam tournament of the year don’t want to guarantee a wildcard for the enfant terrible who has slipped to 144th place in the world rankings.
The numerous listless appearances in Melbourne this season could well be the fatality of Bernard Tomic. There are growing signs that the former number 17 of the world will not be standing directly in the main field of his home grand slam for the first time since 2008.
Tomic, who lost to Jerzy Janowicz on Wednesday at the ATP-Challenger tournament in Bratislava in Round Two, is dependent on Tennis Australia’s support due to his low ranking. Since the relationship with the association is not in the best of hands, there is a high probability that other players will be preferred to the 25-year-old.
“Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin (French Open Junior Winner, d. Red.) and Thanasi Kokkinakis offered strong performances. They deserve all the help they can get their careers moving,”Craig Tiley told 3AW radio.
Scandal pro Tomic, however, has no easy position with the Australian Open’s tournament director:”Bernie had numerous chances. Whether Tomic receives a wildcard or not, Australia’s Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt and “Performance Director” Wally Masur have to decide.