Tomic to appeal as greats back Aussie
BERNARD Tomic is adamant he did not disrespect Wimbledon despite admitting he was bored during a controversial first- round loss.
The Queenslander will appeal a $ 20,000 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct, claiming his comments were directed at himself, not the tournament.
Tomic lost a lucrative racquet sponsorship with Austrian company Head as the controversy rolled on.
But the Queenslander insists he was speaking about himself, not Wimbledon when he used the word “bored”.
“In my press conference, I talked about how Wimbledon is the greatest tournament in the world,” Tomic exclusively told News Corp Australia.
“I never disrespected Wimbledon. I let only myself down by being honest.
“I’m not a robot when I do press. I was asked questions and I answered them honestly. I think to be fined for saying I was bored – I wasn’t saying anything about Wimbledon – is a bit harsh. “We will appeal.” Tomic was charged with unsportsmanlike conduct after confessing he struggled with motivation in a straightsets loss to German Mischa Zverev.
The $ 19,725 fine will be deducted from Tomic’s prizemoney cheque of $ 64,000, pending the appeal.
Novak Djokovic empathised with Tomic, noting Head had retained Maria Sharapova despite her doping breach but dumped Tomic.
Latvian Ernests Gulbis said Tomic was “not a bad guy”.
In a long and controversial interview, Tomic said: “It’s a rollercoaster and I just can’t seem to find the commitment to work hard, to enjoy, and to lift trophies.
“The last two years, nothing motivates.
“Wasn’t mentally and physically there to perform. I don’t know why, but I felt a little bit bored out there to be completely honest with you.”
The “bored” comment is believed to have incensed All England Club officials.
And it prompted Head to dump Tomic.
In a statement, Head said: “We were extremely disappointed with the statements made at Wimbledon by one of our sponsored athletes, Bernard Tomic.”
But former world No. 1 Mats Wilander defended Tomic.
“Everybody jumped on one or two sentences, that is all,” the Swedish champion said
“But he is just trying to explain how he feels ... what is going on.
“I guarantee you every single player here at Wimbledon feels or has felt like Tomic is saying he feels.
“I really appreciate that he was honest about it.”