BEATEN TOMIC NOT EAGER TO MAKE A RACQUET
TENNIS pro turned commentator Sam Groth and the boss of Tennis Gold Coast both like what they are seeing on court from battling Gold Coaster Bernard Tomic.
Despite losing in the French Open opening round this week and saying the bare minimum in a curt postmatch press conference, Tomic is showing good signs according to the pair.
Groth, commentating the 25-year-old’s 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4 loss to 190th ranked Marco Trungelitti, said Tomic winning three qualifying matches showed he was working hard.
Groth’s encouraging assessment was a rarity amid a cacophony of criticism directed at Tomic for giving little away in responding to 10 press conference questions with just 64 words.
“(Tomic) should take some big positives away – he managed to get through qualifying, he fought pretty hard towards the end of the match,” he said on TV.
“He gave himself a chance and he’s very early in this comeback after a break. In terms of him trying to turn his tennis career around it’s very early days for him … it’s a good step forward for Bernie.”
Tennis Gold Coast president Mike Ford, a close friend of Tomic – who remarkably won seven clay court matches in a row en route to the French Open main draw – said he had a “terrific run”. “He’s obviously doing the work he needs to do and let’s hope he keeps on that conveyor belt,” he said.
“He didn’t say much after. But I think he’s just thought every time he does say something it blows up so now he’s not going to say anything.”
Ford said with the looming grass court swing Tomic’s favourite surface he tipped good results to come.
“It looks promising.”