Laver Has Advice For Tomic

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 25th October 2013

Laver Has Advice For Tomic

epa03910861 Bernard Tomic of Australien returns a ball to Jack Sock of the USA during their 1st round singles tennis match during the Stockholm Open ATP tennis tournament in Stockholm, Sweden, 15 October 2013. EPA/CLAUDIO BRESCIANI SWEDEN OUT |

Legend Rod Laver has quietly offered some much-needed wise words to young Australian tear-away Bernard Tomic, whose lack of desire and consistent quitter’s attitude are starting to reflect badly on the proud heritage of the game on the island-continent.

Tomic quit a match in Valencia this week the day after turning 21, claiming he could not go on due to a headache as he trailed Mikhail Youzhny 4-1 in their third set. Laver, visiting Melbourne to promote his newly released autobiography, warned the No. 52 about his attitude in a gentle roundabout way.

“I know there are some down-times and I think when he looks back at things in five, 10 years from now, he may be disappointed with himself,” Laver said. “Because if you don’t put your best effort in every time, you won’t know when the best time is to play your best tennis. There is no best time.

“It doesn’t just gel because you think ‘oh, I’m going to play good today.’ It doesn’t come that way. The world of tennis, the competition and the opponents you’ve got, you’ve got to be ready to play your best every time.”

Tomic, a controversial figure along with his father John, who has been banned from the ATP until next May, has long had a poor reputation, once being branded as “Tomic the tank engine” for habit of quitting when the going got tough on court.

Laver, 75, is the only player in history to win two grand slams in the 1960s.

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Bernard Tomic, Mikhail Youzhny, Rod Laver, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Valencia

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superslamtennis says:

October 25, 2013 at 1:44 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: Laver Has Advice For Tomic: Legend Rod Laver has quietly offered some much-needed wise words to young A… http://t.co/D9…