Training pays off for Tomic

GOLD Coast tennis star Bernard Tomic says a decent break from the game followed by “hard work” is paying off.

The former world No.17 and childhood prodigy won his third and final qualifying round overnight on Thursday in Doha to earn a spot in the Australian Open main draw.

“After some much needed time off the hard work is paying for itself. Thanks to everyone for their support.

“See you in Melbourne,” he posted to social media soon after he had qualified.

His final qualifying round win came at the expense of Australian battler John-Patrick Smith, in a tight encounter which saw Tomic prevail 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (10-8).

Tomic, 28, had to summon plenty of fighting quality after finding himself 0-3 down in the first set.

He was again down 0-3 in the second before rallying back to 5-3 and also had a match point which Smith saved to force a third.

The pair did not break each other in the final set, with Tomic just keeping his nose in front throughout the deciding 10-point tie-breaker.

It’s understood Tomic has been training hard on the Gold Coast for months in the lead up to the Doha-based qualifying event. He has also been hitting with rising local juniors and used some lower-level money tournaments in Brisbane as part of his preparation.

A source close to his Gold Coast training camp said the enforced pandemic break from the pro tour had “served him well”.

“He had a break, he is probably the happiest I have seen him. Physically and mentally he is in good shape – he has just played three long, two-tothree-hour matches.

“He has said having had the break, he is feeling a lot better.”