Concern as Bernie struggles
TENNIS Gold Coast’s president and close mate of troubled star Bernard Tomic is worried he is in a “dark, depressive” state and has ordered critics to back off.
The 24-year-old Gold Coaster admitted yesterday he was struggling for motivation and was “bored” on court after a limp first-round Wimbledon exit.
Tomic, a former child prodigy who at 18 became the youngest Wimbledon quarterfinalist since Boris Becker in 1986, told a brutally honest post-match press conference: “Playing many years on tour has come and taken a toll. Holding a trophy or doing well, it doesn’t satisfy me any more. I couldn’t care less if I make the fourth round of the US Open or lose first round.
“I know I’m going to play another 10 years and after my career won’t have to work again so for me this is mental.”
The lacklustre performance and comments sparked an avalanche of criticism and calls for him to pay back the $60,000plus prizemoney but Tennis Gold Coast president Mike Ford said he only felt sympathy.
“The only thing I can come up with is he needs help. These may be depressive type symptoms he is showing,” Mr Ford said. “I don’t know but obviously he’s not in a good space. I can see there is a problem and I’m sympathetic to it.”
Asked if he was worried about Tomic, Mr Ford said: “Yes I am. He’s obviously going through a very dark period. He needs time and he needs space.”
Mr Ford took a shot at critics and what he saw as double standards with recent treatment of league and AFL stars who’ve battled mental demons and failed to take the field.
“They just give them space, say ‘We are here supporting, going to be there for you’. I don’t hear anyone come out and say they should hand back the money they get.”
Mr Ford, who has known Tomic since he was nine, said he had to give him credit for “telling it how it is” but it also wasn’t doing him any favours being refreshingly honest.
“I heard a commentator say he’s taking up the spot of someone else – no he isn’t. He earned the spot, he’s entitled to the prizemoney.”