Bernard Tomic: “It's just a job ... I haven't really tried”
In a candid new interview on Seven’s Sunday Night program, tennis star Bernard Tomic has opened up about his life and career, admitting he’s amazed to have come so far given how little effort he occasionally puts in.
The troubled Tomic, who has slid from a high of number 17 in the rankings to a meagre 69 in the past year, is unapologetic for his behaviour on and off the court.
“Throughout my career, I’ve given 100 per cent,” he told Melissa Doyle. “I’ve given also 30 per cent. But if you balance it out, I think all my career's been around 50 per cent and I haven’t really tried, and really achieved all this. So just amazing what I’ve done.”
Tomic, who has been no stranger to criticism over the years, has silenced his naysayers, explaining he could’ve jumped ship at any time and been paid handsomely for it. “There’s been big offers to play for different countries. Millions that ... people could only imagine. And I never did that. I stayed loyal to Australia.”
Asked if his love for the sport will ever return, Tomic responded with a firm “no”. “I’m just going to go about it as a job.”
The sports star also took aim at fellow Aussie tennis success Pat Rafter, slamming his false “nice guy” image. “Pat’s said a lot of bad things about me, throughout my career, and, you know, he’s always perceived as this nice guy. People don’t know him in the back of closed doors. He’s not that much of a nice guy ... he likes to put on a show.”
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