'Dead set embarrassment': Listless Bernard Tomic sent packing from French Open
There were low expectations for Bernard Tomic at this year’s French Open, and a lifeless 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 first round loss proved why.
Save for a brief rally in the second set, Tomic barely fired a shot against American battler Taylor Fritz.
Tomic looked like he’d rather be anywhere but Roland Garros, barely offering a challenge to many of Fritz’s winners.
Tomic lasted just 82 minutes against Fritz, the second-fastest defeat of the tournament.
World no.84 Tomic raced through his service games at almost comical speed as his record on the French clay worsened to 3-10.
Tomic’s effort was in stark contrast to that of countryman John Millman, who took on world number five Alexander Zverev.
Millman pushed his higher ranked opponent at every turn, even threatening to win the first set.
On the other hand, Tomic fired down 32 unforced errors and frequently stood flat-footed as his American opponent went to work.
Tennis fans were less than impressed by Tomic’s effort, or lack thereof.
Bernard Tomic is a dead set embarrassment to Australia and world tennis. Needs to be handed a severe punishment for that pathetic display he just put in at #RolandGarros. Some poor bloke has missed out on a spot and had to watch that effort by Tomic. Disgusting
— Jem Nash (@JemNash95) May 28, 2019
Tomic and Kyrgios are making a mockery of the sport but what’s bizarre is that ATP and ITF allow these two to make fools out of them. Whose the bigger fool?
— felipenopollous (@felipenopollous) May 28, 2019
Tomic The Tank Engine #RolandGarros2019
— Dimitri Peppas (@DimitriPeppas_) May 28, 2019
Bernie Tomic on the French Open after winning just 6 games in 1st Round loss...
Q: Thoughts on playing on clay...
BT: "Not for me"
Q: Nick said he didn't like the French Open at all...
BT: "I agree"#RG19— John Horn (@SportsHorn) May 28, 2019
Tomic can say what he likes about Hewitt for as long as he likes. Hewitt made the absolute most of what he had. Tomic is pissing his undeniable talent up a wall and wasting his best career years being petulant.
— Chris P (@scoobstennis) May 28, 2019
How does Bernard Tomic not get fined for that performance?
I don't want to fuel Nick Kyrgios's persecution narrative, but if he had played that match ...— Hannah Wilks (@newballsplease) May 28, 2019
Whether or not Tomic’s performance will come under further scrutiny from officials will remain to be seen.
