While Jannik Sinner won $3.15million at the Australian Open, Bernard Tomic photo shows tennis star’s sad downfall
Tennis fans were glued to their television screens during an enthralling Australian Open final on Sunday, but while Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev were slugging it out in Melbourne, Bernard Tomic was playing in the shadows.
Sinner, 22, triumphed in a grand slam final for the ages, fighting back from two sets down to defeat his Russian rival to win his maiden major.
Sinner, 22, triumphed in a grand slam final for the ages, fighting back from two sets down to defeat his Russian rival to win his maiden major.
The Italian pocketed a cool $3.15million from his victory at the Rod Laver Arena, the youngster sending a strong message that he is here to stay for years to come.
But nearly 9,000kms away in Chennai, former Aussie sensation Tomic was quietly going about his business, winning the ITF M25 Chennai Tournament.
The 31-year-old was the No 1 seed in the competition and won his final in straight sets against India‘s Sasi Kumar Mukund 6-4, 7-6.
According to Channel Seven, Tomic won $5400, plus roughly $100 for his first-round defeat in the doubles.
It means his earnings for the tournament would have just about covered his flight and hotel costs.
For context, Tomic would have received $120,000 if he was knocked out of the first round of the men’s singles in the Australian Open.
Tennis Australia – who govern the competition – have a strained relationship with Tomic and he was overlooked for a wildcard at the tournament.
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley said Tomic was undeserving of a place in the competition.
‘It’s not so much about the relationship, but it’s about if they’re deserving,’ Tiley said.
‘The things we consider – the form of the player coming in, there is a factor looking at age in some instances because do you want to give a younger player the opportunity versus one who’s been the journeyman for a while?’
Tomic is currently ranked 290 in the world but was once ranked as high as 17.
A reflective Tomic recently said: ‘Everyone has a different journey.
‘You can’t control destiny. You learn to respect life and the little things.
‘If I did the right things at 20-24, I was not very professional. I worked extremely hard, but if I had done a few things right, who knows.’
