Tennis: Bernard Tomic Heads Overseas
January 25th 2009 13:10
Australia's teenage sensation Bernard Tomic will move abroad in the next three months, as he begins life as a professional tennis player.
The 16-year-old will base himself in the US or London, so he can continue developing his game and be closer to key tournaments.
After gaining a wildcard entry and making it to the Australian Open second round, Tomic reinforced the belief he was ready to compete against men.
"Now that I'm becoming more of a name in Australia, I've got to take the opportunity to build my game and work hard and take it to the next level," Tomic said.
"My parents are looking at moving to either England or America in the next three or four months.
"Then I have to work on my game and get a lot more opportunities.
"I can't stay on the Gold Coast forever.
"There's a lot of expectations now and I've got to find the right place where I can stay and have a home base."
Tomic was delighted to win a grand slam match and said he was proud of his second-round effort against Gilles Muller at Rod Laver Arena.
"I had to go into that match confident," Tomic said of his first-round encounter with Italian Potito Starace.
"The guy had been 30 in the world. For me to beat someone who was 30 in the world a year ago is a big achievement.
"My favourite surface has always been hard court. And to play Muller, it's just amazing what I've done.
"He didn't start that well, which I took advantage of.
"But I got a little bit tired towards the end and that's what cost me in the second round.
"I was happy to play four sets and I couldn't ask for anything more.
"Hopefully I can come back in the next year and push through a few more rounds."
Tomic said he would next head to Burnie in Tasmania, for a challenger event, and would then try to pick up a wildcard in Miami.
He said it was unrealistic to expect a huge rankings climb.
"To be honest with you, I don't think I can make top 100 this year," he said.
"I think I could get in the top 300 and that's a good goal.
"If I crack the 300 then I can play grand slam qualifying straight away and I'll never need wildcards and that's where I can build myself up.
"The next year is going to be good for me to build up, play more futures and challengers, because I've seen I can match it with these guys.
"It's just a matter of me getting stronger and playing in those big tournaments."
Sunday Herald Sun
The 16-year-old will base himself in the US or London, so he can continue developing his game and be closer to key tournaments.
After gaining a wildcard entry and making it to the Australian Open second round, Tomic reinforced the belief he was ready to compete against men.
"Now that I'm becoming more of a name in Australia, I've got to take the opportunity to build my game and work hard and take it to the next level," Tomic said.
"Then I have to work on my game and get a lot more opportunities.
"I can't stay on the Gold Coast forever.
"There's a lot of expectations now and I've got to find the right place where I can stay and have a home base."
Tomic was delighted to win a grand slam match and said he was proud of his second-round effort against Gilles Muller at Rod Laver Arena.
"I had to go into that match confident," Tomic said of his first-round encounter with Italian Potito Starace.
"The guy had been 30 in the world. For me to beat someone who was 30 in the world a year ago is a big achievement.
"My favourite surface has always been hard court. And to play Muller, it's just amazing what I've done.
"He didn't start that well, which I took advantage of.
"But I got a little bit tired towards the end and that's what cost me in the second round.
"I was happy to play four sets and I couldn't ask for anything more.
"Hopefully I can come back in the next year and push through a few more rounds."
Tomic said he would next head to Burnie in Tasmania, for a challenger event, and would then try to pick up a wildcard in Miami.
He said it was unrealistic to expect a huge rankings climb.
"To be honest with you, I don't think I can make top 100 this year," he said.
"I think I could get in the top 300 and that's a good goal.
"If I crack the 300 then I can play grand slam qualifying straight away and I'll never need wildcards and that's where I can build myself up.
"The next year is going to be good for me to build up, play more futures and challengers, because I've seen I can match it with these guys.
"It's just a matter of me getting stronger and playing in those big tournaments."
Sunday Herald Sun
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