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Tomic admits not giving 100 per cent

John Weaver

07:38 AEST Wed Oct 10 2012

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Australian teenager Bernard Tomic admitted giving only "85 per cent" as he joined compatriots Lleyton Hewitt and Marinko Matosevic in crashing out in the opening round of the Shanghai Masters.

Hewitt started strongly before losing 7-5 6-1 to Czech Radek Stepanek, but his second set fade-out had nothing on that of Tomic.

Tomic admitted the pressures of the tennis tour were taking their toll, the 19-year-old winning just eight points in a miserable second set as he went down 6-4 6-0 to Germany's Florian Mayer.

His Shanghai flop comes just weeks after he was branded "disgraceful" by Davis Cup team captain Pat Rafter following his US Open defeat at the hands of Andy Roddick.

US tennis great John McEnroe said Tomic seemed to give up during his 6-3 6-4 6-0 loss to Roddick in the second round at Flushing Meadows.

And on Tuesday the Australian, who is 196 centimetres tall, admitted he was having problems with the mental side of his game as he adjusted to life on the gruelling tennis tour.

Tomic admitted he only gave "about 85 per cent", adding: "Today I gave 100 per cent in the first set. I felt in the second set, my 100 per cent wasn't even close to where it should be ... the mental skill is one of my biggest problems."

Tomic, who has slipped to 43rd in the rankings after hitting a career-high of 27, admitted it had been tough-going in 2012 after a breakthrough year in 2011 during which he reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

"It's been a long year," he said.

"I played a lot of tournaments. Haven't had time to rest. I think I only rested one week after Roland Garros.

"I think it was the wrong sort of move that I made. I think it's costing me now, the last few months. My performance has not been as good.

"It's been a massive road this year. I didn't plan my schedule as I should have and it's cost me a lot of matches that I probably should have won," added the Australian, who turns 20 later this month.

Mayer, who will next play US Open champion Andy Murray, said he was surprised at how easily Tomic had folded in the second set.

"Of course, second set we don't have to talk about it, he probably didn't try his best, but I'm happy, easy match, not too long on the court," he said.

"In sports you want everybody to fight," he added. "But it's tough, I know it from my side. I also don't fight every match because it's tough, but I try my best."

Matosevic lost 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 to Canadian 12th seed Milos Raonic.

User comments

Tennis Australia should show this pathetic man the door! He does no service to other Australian tennis players (or sportsmen or women in general) who work hard to achieve their goals and would love the kickstart that this under-achieving brat has been given. Get rid of him right now.

It takes guts to get the glory & Tomic needs to just look around at some of his fellow players, with Hewitt being the best example of a guy with limited resources but guts & tenacity until doomsday. Murray had the pressure of 70+ years & 60 million Brits but came through it after gutsing it out. Bernie needs to read some of the above comments & realize he's in a privileged position that will unfold, successfully or not, entirely at his own hands. As Uncle Chop chop would say, 'harden the ==== up!

What a fickle lot are Australians! And what a whingey, whining bunch of under achievers most of them are! Bernard Tomic is 19 years old and is ranked 43 in the world. He is an elite athlete who is still growing and still has a lot to learn, but learn he will, and just like Little Lleyton --- who was similarly pilloried by the "knowledgeable" Australian sporting public --- he will become the darling for all of you when he wins a Grand Slam! I remember when the "knowledgeable" whingers called Lleyton a spoilt brat and a "mini McEnroe" but now you all love him. Fickle --- YES!

It is UnAustralian to not give 100% and this is not the 1st time he has done it.The Tournament directors should withhold what little prize money he earned.All sportsman go through tough periods but as long as you give your all thats all that matters.He should never play Davis Cup for Australia again

His sponsors should old give him 50% of what he is entitled to from them. I really dis-like this brat and wish he would stop representing us. Child.

For goodness sake give it a break and grow up. You are not someone special (possibly have the potential to be so) and so very unAustralian. Nothing anyone here or elsewhere says will mean anything to you as you are so obviously full of your own importance.

Who we are to judge.There are so many players that are not no.1.If he admits his problems he admits that he needs help. so stop criticizing.Let him be ready on his terms =he is paying consequences already.He is still child with his father watching his every move.

Tomic appears to not be enjoying his Tennis he gives in easily being young he can develop in this area if he has the desire and that is the question.May be time in the lower grades is required or a change of coach. He has ability to burn, i whish him well.The Ball Is In His Court.Regards

Poor, poor Bernie.No body loves him any more.One can feel sorry for him at his pathetic attempts to play tennis.He can't help it if he has no guts.You heard him, he has to play too much tennis. But cheer up. Maybe he could trade his tennis racquet and flash sports car for a bag of marbles and he could then play an exhibition game of marbles,( provided he does not lose them) in the dust at Tenant Creek.Two mongrol dogs and an alley cat might turn up to watch! And the locals could buy him a shandy if he scrapes an honourable win. Sure beats bustin' yer *** on a tennis court! Think Bernie--- think!

What he's saying is that he couldn't play at his best on the day because of mental tiredness. He's not the first person to struggle early in their career (Agassi was commonly felt to tank in his early days) so it's a bit early to write Tomic off yet. There are grounds to worry about him but he could turn it around

Bernard TOmic is un-Australian. His behaviour is a nonsense. His commentary is outrageous. His attitude is petulant. When I think of the ANZACS, the pioneers of sport and business that have made this country the best on earth, I am embarrassed that this bloke actually gets to represent us. Bernard needs to learn the Aussie fighting spirt - never, ever give in! Tennis AUstralia needs to put the foot down with this bloke and stop funding him. If I was the Managing Director of a company tht sponsors him, I would pull out of the contract - he is a disgrace!

What a Muppet! & we let this guy represent our Country! Really? Really? Really????

Aussies are a proud tough people and to see the performance and sookiness of tomic would make all the proud anzacs who gave us all the fighting spirit turn over in their graves at the slack display that he shows , he does not deserve to be called an aussie with his slack attitude .Get some guts and if you do lose at leastput some heart into yoour matches .

I have no admiration for this guy,he is a spoilt child that has had too many people giving him his own way. He has plenty of talent no doubt but doesn't have the heart at this stage. Hopefully the stuff that Pat Rafter is made of will rub off on him and he can gain some maturity. By the way there are plenty of worker's in their everyday jobs that don't give 100% so that's not really a relevant point. It comes down to character.

Well he would say that,after looseing,give us a break and get over yourself!These sports people are such whingers when things don't go THEIR WAY.

None of us really understand the pressure of being on the Tour unless you are on it, and if he just isnt up to giving 100%, but is still offering the best tennis he can play on the day then thats fine surely and as a proud Aussie I can accept that. I don't however go too much on the attitude and sookiness that pours out of this guy. Be known for your tennis mate until you can learn to control what you do and say a bit better, until then you aren't Bernard Tomic the tennis star, you will just be that guy that we love to hate. The media control our perception of you - so be nice to them eh?

Bernard Tomic is a self centred spoilt brat and he is a discrace to be known as an Australian.

I hope that the "Davis Cup" selectors are reading this load of crap. Fancy putting him in a team with Lleyton.

what a joke to hear a full time tennis player not giving his all , after all that is his job he has chosen so is it ok for the rest of australian workers to not give their all everyday ,i bet tommic would be upset if the ball boys or linesmen said that they couldnt give 100 % because they are having a off day ,he is a joke and a sook.