Fallen tennis star Bernard Tomic, once heralded as one of Australia’s brightest sporting prospects, is aiming to make his mark again as he attempts to qualify for the 2024 Australian Open, marking his first appearance on home soil in three years.
The former Wimbledon quarter-finalist and Australian No.1 is seeking to secure his place among the best once more, with the necessity of winning three sudden-death matches to earn entry to the main draw of the prestigious tournament.
Last qualifying for the Australian Open back in 2021, Tomic demonstrated his resilience then by being the only Australian out of 20 hopefuls to successfully make it through. Now, at 32 years of age and ranked 214th globally, his return to Melbourne Park symbolises more than just tennis; it’s about redemption.
After years spent competing on the Challenger and Future circuits, often far from the limelight, Tomic's career has taken him through various venues around the world, including India, Thailand, and less prominent locations across the Americas. Despite competing vigorously, he earned just over $63,000 playing tournaments such as those held in Wichita and Little Rock last year, roughly half of the minimum $132,000 he could secure by simply qualifying for the Open.
His first opponent this week is Slovakian Jozef Kovalik, whom he faces as he seeks to claim his 12th main-draw appearance at the Australian Open, an event where he reached the round of 16 three times—most recently as far back as 2016.
Interestingly, as Tomic seeks to reclaim his status, he shares the spotlight with young talents like Cruz Hewitt, the 16-year-old son of former Australian Open runner-up Lleyton Hewitt, who is also attempting to qualify for the first time. Cruz was granted a wildcard and is matched against seasoned competitor Nikoloz Basilashvili, underlining the generational shift happening on Australian courts.
The first day of qualifying was marred by torrential rain, leading to scheduling chaos at Melbourne Park, with many matches postponed. Young Australian Taylah Preston managed to shine through the tumult, staying patient for nearly six hours before eventually securing her place in the second round with a decisive win over German veteran Mona Barthel, 6-1, 6-2.
Preston, who is also eager to make her impact on the tournament, expressed satisfaction with her performance, saying, "It was a bit tricky to get [into] rhythm... but I think I did pretty well." She previously made her major debut at the Australian Open last year, illustrating the bright future of Australian tennis.
While Preston leads the rising stars, veteran Alex Bolt faced elimination, losing 6-2, 6-2 to seed Mackenzie McDonald. Amid these challenges, Tomic's story stands out, symbolizing struggle and perseverance as he fights to reclaim his former glory.
Tomic’s record and remarkable skills as a two-time grand slam junior champion provide hope for his fans. Yet, many are skeptical as they recall the controversies and struggles he faced over the last few years, particularly his tumultuous ranking drop to No. 825 back in 2022. He has since climbed back to his current rank of 213, but the path to redemption on the grand stage remains steep.
With promising young talents and seasoned competitors battling for spots, Tomic’s road to qualification will surely not come easy. He is but one of 25 Australians vying for their chance to make history at one of the biggest events on the tennis calendar.
Despite setbacks due to unforeseen weather challenges, the Open’s organizers remain optimistic, allowing the main draw to maintain its schedule without requiring indoor adjustments. If Tomic can navigate the turbulent waters of the qualifiers this week, he could find himself standing tall on the same courts where so many significant Australian tennis moments have unfolded.
The next few days will tell the tale of Tomic’s resilience and capability to reclaim his standing within the sport he once shined brightly in.