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Rob Griffith
Sick note

'Sick' Aussie tennis star retires from Sydney event amid controversy

Bernard Tomic said his withdrawal was due to illness despite being overheard telling the umpire about his of lack interest.

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS STAR Bernard Tomic has faced a barrage of criticism after he retired from his Sydney International quarter-final in controversial circumstances.

Tomic, the tournament’s top seed, withdrew mid-game while trailing Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-3, 3-0 at the Ken Rosewall Arena due to illness and fatigue.

However, the 23-year-old had already been heard telling the umpire, Mohamed Lahyani, that his mind was on the Australian Open, not the Sydney International.

Before the match against the Georgian, Tomic had learned of a favourable draw for his home Grand Slam event; against unseeded Uzbek Denis Istomin.

“I have a good draw in Melbourne. I’m looking for Melbourne, I’m not looking for this.”

Australian tennis great and television commentator Todd Woodbridge was unimpressed by his compatriot’s behaviour.

“Not much more we can say about that. If you’re that worried, you don’t sit there and smile,” he said.

“I understand the difficulties about preparing for the Australian Open and wanting to be fresh but you’ve got responsibilities to the tour and responsibilities to the fans and the tournament. That didn’t look real good.”

Rennae Stubbs, a women’s doubles great from Australia, agreed with Woodbridge.

In his post-match press conference the right-hander, who is no stranger to controversy, said he had been feeling ill before the match. And playing two games in one day, due to a rain delay, was taking its toll.

“I was just feeling a bit sick last night,” Tomic said.

“It’s been the same thing at the hotel, a lot of fish and rice this week.”

When asked about his conversation with Lahyani, Tomic insisted he couldn’t recall it.

“I can’t remember,” he said. “I actually can’t remember. I’m happy to answer…but I can’t remember…if you can just like maybe just tell me…I can’t remember.”

After he was reminded of what he said, Tomic replied: “I told him two matches today, sick, trying to win the tournament to go up one spot (in the rankings). It doesn’t sound good for me, does it?”

If I was 100 per cent and ready and not feeling the way I was I would for sure fight on court and have tried to win the match and this event.

Tomic’s tennis career has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the past; on one occasion asking an umpire to withdraw his father from the stands for trying to coach him. Tomic Sr was also sentenced to eight months in prison for assaulting one of Bernard’s hitting partners.

He has been accused of not trying on numerous occasions, has had repeated confrontations with police over driving offences and lost significant public support in Australia when refusing to practice with Aussie golden boy Lleyton Hewitt because “he isn’t good enough”.

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