From tennis to reality TV?
After missing out on a wildcard for the Australian Open, the wilds of South Africa may be more to the liking of fallen Australian tennis star Bernard Tomic, as well as his dwindling bank account.
The 25-year-old was officially brushed for a wildcard in Melbourne on Thursday, with tournament director and Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley confirming that Tomic would have to battle through qualifying if he wanted a spot in the main draw from January 15.
Tomic has reportedly been motivated to prove his critics wrong but if that fails, rumours are circling that he could take up a place in the next Australian series of I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here, the reality show set in the African jungle.
He could stand to earn about A$600,000 (NZ$660,000) from the show if figures being circulated are accurate, a sum that would bolster his bank account since his plummet down the ATP rankings in recent times.
The Tomic camp was approached for comment, but did not respond.
A former world No 17, Tomic has been in freefall since a falling out with Tennis Australia and making himself unavailable for the Davis Cup after last year’s Open. He is now ranked 140 and was last seen in a Challenger Tour event in Bratislava in November, where he lost in the round of 16.
He’s often spoken of his net worth but first round losses and Challenger events aren’t likely to fund his luxury lifestyle for long, especially given his penchant for lavish nights out and expensive sports cars.
The last series of Australia’s I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here was won by former Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan, and also featured former Collingwood AFL player Dane Swan.
Others rumoured to be potentially joining Tomic, should he commit to the 2018 series, are Fran Drescher, who starred in the sitcom The Nanny in the 1990s, and Mercedes Corby, sister of convicted Bali drug trafficker Schapelle.
A spokesman for Network Ten, which broadcasts the programme, said ‘‘there was a lot of misinformation’’ about contestants for the series but bookmakers have Tomic rated as a $1.60 shot to take his place in the field.
To match that figure, he would have to make it all the way to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. His previous best in Melbourne was the fourth round in 2012, 2015 and 2016.
Tomic’s dispute with Tennis Australia revolves around a funding argument with his teenage sister Sara, a talented player also coached by their father John Tomic.
‘‘He’s not going to get a wildcard. He’d have to go through qualifying,’’ Tiley said on Thursday. ‘‘Qualifying starts next week ... and I would hope that Bernie would want to put himself in a position to play but he’s indicated that that’s likely not going to be the case.’’
- Brisbane Times, AAP