Happy for birth of a new era
BERNARD Tomic has thrown his support behind a rule change which is transforming grand slam tennis.
Wimbledon was heavily compromised last year when eight players retired midmatch from the first- round, prompting officials to introduce a new rule to counter the scourge.
Last year, players who took to the court aware they were injured and likely to retire claimed their full prizemoney.
This year, injured players have the option of withdrawing once they are on- site and are paid half the first- round prizemoney if they don’t play.
They are replaced by lucky losers from qualifying, who share the prizemoney, worth about $ 30,000 this season.
If injured competitors attempt to play but can’t perform to tournament expectations, they can be heavily fined.
Mischa Zverev was fined $ 58,000 at the Australian Open after struggling with sickness during an openinground loss.
Fellow German Peter Gojowczyk was punished with a $ 40,000 fine at the French Open in similar circumstances.
Tomic, who was docked $ 20,000 at Wimbledon last year for saying he was bored, was among nine lucky losers to be given a second chance at Wimbledon this year.
“I think it’s a good like it,” he said.
“I now know with the rule change there are going to be a lot more lucky losers. You saw nine or 10 lucky losers in Paris and here there are seven.
“Last year, they lost a few matches on centre ( court). It’s better for the tournament.”
Wimbledon’s scheduling was thrown into disarray on the second day last year when consecutive centre- court matches ended in retirements in matches involving Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. rule. I SHE’S won world crowns, two Commonwealth Games medals and played a starring role in some of the fiercest clashes in international netball, but retiring Diamonds great Laura Geitz says there is something else she has achieved in netball for which she is exceptionally proud.
The veteran of 71 internationals said she knew the time was right to call time on her Diamonds career and was “so happy” with her decision.
The mother- of- one, who has yet to make a decision about playing next year in Super Netball, said she could no longer commit “120 per cent to the Diamonds” and was also keen to become a mother again.
Geitz also said she was proud her comeback to the elite echelons of world netball from time out to have her son Barney “shows mothers it can be done” with the support of the sport.
Netball Australia backed Geitz’s comeback to the Diamonds through enormous support, which included having baby Barney at national camps.
“I’m very proud of that,” said Geitz, who was part of Australia’s silver medalwinning side at the Commonwealth Games this year.
“I feel so comfortable now knowing other women can come back from starting a family and that there is support there.
“I think it has clearly shown them it can be done, at an elite level and even social netball.”
Geitz fought her way back into the Diamonds earlier this year after the birth of her son in 2017 so she could compete at a home Games.
“I’m a passionate Queenslander and to have the Games on the Gold Coast was incredible,” she said.
“While the gold- medal game didn’t go our way, it was a fitting event to finish my international career.
“I’m really looking forward to what the next chapter in my life entails, with more time to focus on work opportunities and my family.”
Geitz’s decision means she is unavailable for a series of internationals later this year and next year’s world championships in the UK.
She said she was happy to help coach Lisa Alexander in any way but didn’t see a coaching role in her future.
“Laura has been a champion for the Diamonds, the ultimate professional, always setting the benchmark for other players so they knew exactly what was expected to play at this level,” Alexander said.
“Her Diamonds legacy will only grow stronger over the years.
“And no doubt she will continue to have an impact on young players coming up through the ranks.”