Bernard Tomic’s presence in professional tennis remains a topic of debate as his recent performance raises questions about his ongoing career. At the NSW Open, Tomic, seeded third, retired just one point into the second set due to a leg injury while competing against Japanese wildcard Hayato Matsuoka. His early exit followed a first set loss of 6-4, where he openly expressed frustration by telling the sparse crowd, “I can’t run.”
The 33-year-old Australian has shown signs of a late-career resurgence, climbing from a ranking of 835 in August last year to 182 currently. Despite earning over $220,000 in prize money this year alone, many observers remain skeptical about his competitive viability. During the match, Tomic appeared distracted, often examining his racket strings after losing points, suggesting a struggle beyond physical injury.
Lleyton Hewitt, a tennis legend and fellow Australian, was uncertain about Tomic’s decision to continue playing professionally. Hewitt told The Australian, “I’m not sure if he doesn’t know what else to do, or if he still feels he has some unfinished business.” Hewitt acknowledged Tomic’s persistence despite competing mainly on smaller courts and noted he had spoken to Tomic recently but was unaware of his long-term plans.
Earlier this year, Tomic shared his motivation in an interview on the Changeover podcast. He stated that tennis has been a lifelong passion since childhood, driven by his father’s influence, and remains his main purpose at this stage in life. He set a personal goal to break into the top 100 ranking once more before retiring without regret. “It’s the only thing I’m good at,” Tomic said, adding that he hopes to finish his career feeling “happy, guilt-free.”
Tomic’s career, beginning in 2008, has been marked by both talent and controversy. Critics point to his history of quitting matches when faced with challenges, which tarnishes a legacy with moments of promise. Since August, he has retired mid-match three times, citing injuries and fatigue, which may indicate physical limitations impacting his game.
Despite accumulating nearly $7 million in career earnings and showing flashes of skill, Tomic’s future in tennis remains uncertain. The question persists: what drives Bernard Tomic to keep competing despite mounting obstacles? Only he can provide that answer as the tennis world watches closely.
