Bernard Tomic, Who ‘Left Tennis Mentally’ Eyes Australian Open Main Draw Berth: “Wanted to Challenge Myself”

Former World No.17 Bernard Tomic's goal this year is to become a top-100 player once again.

Bernard Tomic, Who ‘Left Tennis Mentally’ Eyes Australian Open Main Draw Berth: “Wanted to Challenge Myself”

Bernard Tomic (Image via X/Image via Isidoro)

The qualifying draw for the Australian Open is underway at Melbourne Park. Bernard Tomic, a former World No.17, played his first match on Monday (January 12), defeating Hugo Dellien with a 6-3, 6-3 scoreline.

It was his first win in Melbourne since 2021. In the next match, he will be up against Britain’s Arthur Fery. This is the fourth time he has featured in a qualifying round of a Grand Slam event since the 2025 season. Last year in the event, he suffered defeat in the first qualifying match itself. Tomic’s career has been marred by controversy because of which he had “sort of left the sport mentally“.

It was a little bit swirly, I was a little bit nervous as well at the start. I haven’t played many big matches over the last year… The atmosphere was incredible. I had a pretty good last four or five months of the year … I’d like to have finished a bit higher, but I didn’t. All is well, so let’s see. These are the moments you’re grateful for.

Bernard Tomic said at the press conference

Not just a Grand Slam main draw appearance, Tomic even wants to get back inside the top 100. At present, Tomic, who reached a career-high No.17 in 2016, stands in the 184th spot on the rankings table.

The sport was really tough for me, and I was not the best person to cope with it mentally. So I figured out a way to just like, you know what … I wanted to see if I can challenge myself and get back to the top 100 from 900 (ranking) at that stage. It’s still going to be tough. Let’s see if I can do it, huh? That’s my goal.

Bernard Tomic added

Tomic is the winner of four ATP titles, which he has won from six finals. These titles were: the 2013 Sydney International, the 2014 and 2015 Colombia Open, and the 2018 Chengdu Open. He hasn’t yet reached a final since defeating Fabio Fognini in Chengdu.

Bernard Tomic hopes to play at Wimbledon

Bernard Tomic is also aiming for the main draw berth in this year’s Wimbledon. He skipped the qualifying round of the grass-court Major last year.

Bernard Tomic
Bernard Tomic (Image via X/Relevant Tennis)

It’s something that has been my sort of goal, to qualify at a Slam again. (And) to have a bit of a run at a Grand Slam now. Maybe at Wimby (Wimbledon) or here. I know I’m still good enough to compete with these top guys. But it’s just a matter of surface conditions. Everything has to lay out for me at this time, at this age… I’m having fun. So let’s see if I can win a couple more matches here, huh?

Bernard Tomic said at the press conference

Tomic produced his best Grand Slam performance at Wimbledon. Back in 2011, he made the quarterfinals, but since then, he has made the fourth round twice in 2013 and 2016. The last time he played a main-draw match in the third Major of the season was in 2019, where his run was ended in the first round.

Tomic has never lifted a Big Title in his career. In Masters 1000 events, he has failed to progress beyond the quarterfinals, reaching the stage thrice, at the 2015 Indian Wells Masters, 2015 Shanghai Masters, and the 2016 Cincinnati Masters.

Prior to the Australian Open, Tomic featured in Challenger Noumea, where his run ended in the quarterfinals with a three-set defeat to Blake Ellis. The last time he featured in a main draw of an ATP event was at the 2025 Almaty Open, where he lost to eventual runner-up Corentin Moutet in his opening round.

The main draw of the Australian Open is scheduled to start on January 18. World No.2 Jannik Sinner will enter the competition as the two-time defending champion.

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