Bernard Tomic admits he needed to step away from tennis to regain his ardour for it, as he appears to make a daring comeback to the Australian Open.
The 33-year-old has moved a step nearer to a spot within the Open principal draw after an entertaining straight-sets win on Monday night.
The controversial Aussie star proved too robust for Hugo Dellien, taking out the first-round match 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the subsequent stage of qualifying.
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Now simply two wins away from qualifying for the Australian Open for the primary time since 2021, a now veteran Tomic spoke candidly about his want for a recent begin, saying he “type of left the game a bit mentally”.
“I wanted to (go away tennis),” he informed reporters.
“The game was actually powerful for me, and I used to be not the perfect individual to deal with it mentally.
“So I discovered a technique to similar to, you already know what … I needed to see if I can problem myself and get again to the highest 100 from 900 (rating) at that stage. It is nonetheless going to be powerful. Let’s have a look at if I can do it, huh? That is my purpose.”
Tomic is now ranked No.187 on the ATP circuit.
Tomic obtained the modest crowd in Melbourne fired up early with a few massive aces in a row from his opening service recreation towards the little-known Bolivian.
He compelled Dellien into a tough first service recreation of his personal, taking the benefit twice however failing to earn a break on account of some unforced errors.
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However with the ball was on his racquet, Tomic regarded a category above and produced some high quality tennis, together with a surprising rally the place it regarded like Dellien was going to steal it.
Tomic added that his different purpose is to qualify for one more grand slam, after spending most of 2025 within the Challenger circuit.
“To have a little bit of a run at a grand slam now. Possibly at Wimbledon or right here,” he stated.
Bernard Tomic of Australia reacts throughout his Males’s Qualifying Singles match. Getty
I do know I am nonetheless ok to compete with these high guys. Nevertheless it’s only a matter of floor circumstances. Every little thing has to put out for me presently, at this age … I am having enjoyable.
“So let’s examine if I can win a pair extra matches right here, huh?”.
Recognized for his vibrant persona and boisterous nature, the previous Wimbledon quarter finalist was again in full flight on Monday.
After taking the 2-1 lead within the first set over Dellien, Tomic then sat courtside and requested if he may eat a banana, to which an official stated he would go and get some.
Chants from one keen spectator of “right here we go Bernie” had been heard beaming throughout the 1573 Area within the early phases as Tomic regarded to construct some momentum.
The encouragement from the gang clearly made a distinction as Tomic broke his opponent’s serve and ended up cruising to a first-set lead.
Tomic’s work on the internet was holding him in good stead, hitting a number of volley winners.
At one stage, Tomic took his shirt off and swapped to a brand new piece of attire because the chair umpire gave him the hurry-up, calling “time” whereas the Aussie was nonetheless altering.
Bernard Tomic swaps shirts throughout Australian Open qualifying. 9
Each gamers held serve early within the second set however as soon as once more it was Tomic who made the breakthrough, getting the followers in Melbourne to rumble behind him.
As each gamers walked off for a fast breather, Dellien was then noticed smashing his racquet in frustration because the match started to slide away from him.
With the second set nonetheless within the steadiness, younger youngsters had been heard screaming “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” as they rallied behind the native hope, earlier than one other fan led a chant.
“Tomic followers within the stands, if you happen to hear me clap your arms,” he yelled.
The previous world No.17 closed out the set and the match with ease with Dellien on serve and can now proceed surging in the direction of the principle draw at Melbourne Park.
