Bernard Tomic’s comeback story is still slowly unfolding – but the polarising star continues to lead a lavish lifestyle despite only earning a little more than $64,000 in prizemoney last year.
The one-time prodigy and former world No.17 has impressed tennis fans with his tenacity, prepared to grind away while competing in seemingly endless ATP Challenger circuit and lower-tier tournaments as he tries to return to the big time.
Main round invitations for Tomic are virtually non-existent these days, but you won’t get a complaint out of arguably the biggest wasted talent in Australian sport.
For the 32-year-old, it’s all about finishing his career ‘guilt free’.
‘Tennis has become part of my life ever since I was seven. Obviously I had a dad that pushed me extremely hard and that’s one of the reasons I got there, in a sense,’ he recently said on the Changeover podcast.
‘But when you look at this whole picture, now that I’m 32, it’s a purpose. It still gives me something to do. Without tennis, I don’t know what I would do.
Bernard Tomic’s comeback story is still slowly unfolding as he grinds away on the second-tier tennis circuit with girlfriend Keely Hannah (pictured together)
But despite only earning a little over $64,000 in prizemoney last year, Tomic is still living large in stunning luxury hotels – like this one, which Hannah posted recently
Another holiday snap recently posted by Hannah reveals they’ve been staying in locations most Aussies would die for
The loved up couple aren’t slumming it when it comes to accommodation in Europe (pictured)
‘I’m sitting about 200 in the world, or whatever, and my goal is to be top 100 and then I can retire. It’s more of a statement, that sort of thing, so let’s see if I can do it.
‘It (tennis) is the only thing I’m good at. I’ve been good at it for almost three decades, so it gets me going. I can still play decent.
‘I’m not in my prime like I was… but that’s why I’m challenging myself to get back there one more time. And then (I can) retire happy (and) guilt free.’
Tomic’s glamorous girlfriend Keely Hannah has joined him – and despite the much smaller paycheques, the couple aren’t slumming it when it comes to accommodation.
She has pictured them enjoying oysters, French champagne and beachside hotels in a recent post on Instagram.
Currently ranked 213 in the world, Tomic and Hannah recently spent time in the sun at Mallorca in Spain as the Aussie seeks sporting redemption on the court.
Given he was ranked outside the top 1200 in 2023, it has been an impressive revival.
At the Mallorca Open, Tomic found himself back in a main draw at a tour-level event for the first time since the Australian Open in 2021.
The former world No.17 is trying to break back into the top 100 after slogging it out in lower-level and Challenger events in recent years
At the Mallorca Open, (pictured) Tomic was back in a main draw for the first time since the Australian Open in 2021
Bernard Tomic (pictured) claimed his first win on the main ATP Tour since 2021 after beating fellow Aussie Rinky Hijikata
He beat fellow Aussie player Rinky Hijikata in the first round, but was then outclassed in straight sets by Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut.
If Tomic does achieve his ambitious goal of returning to the world’s top 100, he will gain direct entry into grand slams, which will be his way of leaving the sport on his terms.
Tomic admits he was previously ‘destroyed’ by the high volume of travel, and found himself burnt out at 24.
And while not proud of some elements of his past, Tomic maintains he was at times an easy target for journalists chasing headlines.
‘I worked really hard when I was young. I missed my childhood and then it got to the stage where, how can I say it, I didn’t feel fulfilled,’ he said.
‘Even winning on the court, I just wanted to be normal. Tennis is a very isolated, very tough sport.
‘(I still think) the Australian media is probably the worst (media) in the world.
‘Obviously I did stuff that was for sure, not right… but they did pick on me.’
In what is best described as a colourful career, troubled has followed Tomic.
If he wasn’t boasting about ‘counting my millions’, Tomic often endured dramas with match officials, had an infamous bust-up outside a Gold Coast tattoo parlour and accusations of tanking.
He even made short-lived appearance on the reality TV show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in 2018.
Currently in the US, Tomic yearns to play at Flushing Meadows later this year.
Given his talent, it would be brave to dismiss his chances – and with Tomic, you learn to expect the unexpected.
