Defending Champ Bernie Tomic Needs a Wildcard For Sydney

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 3rd December 2013

BNP Paribas 2013 Masters Tennis Tournament

Defending Champ Bernie Tomic Needs a Wildcard For Sydney

epa03927887 Bernard Tomic of Australia returns the ball to Feliciano Lopez of Spain during their first round match at the BNP Paribas 2013 Masters tennis tournament in Paris, France, 28 October 2013. EPA/YOAN VALAT |

Tennis Australia has had to throw a lifeline to struggling national No. 1 Bernard Tomic, with his current 52nd ranking not enough to get him straight into the field to defend his title starting in five weeks at the ATP Sydney event.

Tomic, 21, whose lone career title came a year ago at the venue when he looked to be on the verge of a breakthrough, will be given a free place in the field whose cut-off in No. 49. Play begins on January 5 at the former 2000 Olympic venue.

Tomic lifted the home honors in 2013 by beating South African Kevin Anderson in the final.

At the upcoming edition, he will have to face ominous Argentine Juan Del Potro, the fifth-ranked top seed. Making up the members will be Wimbledon semi-finalist Jerzy Janowicz, 13th-ranked Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, Italy’s Fabio Fognini and former winners Jarkko Nieminen and Dmitry Tursunov.

The women’s side is headed by defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska, Petra Kvitova, Sara Errani, and German Angelique Kerber – all top 10 players – plus one-time WTA top=ranked competitors Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic. Also included: Romanian Simona Halep, the No. 11 with six titles form 2013, American Sloane Stephens and double grand slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Tomic will need to be working hard in the current close season after losing his last five matches of the just-concluded season.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Agnieszka Radwanska, Atp, Bernard Tomic, Dmitry Tursunov, Fabio Fogini, Jarkko Nieminen, Jerzy Janowicz, juan del potro, Kevin Anderson, Nicolas Almagro, Petra Kvitova, Sara Errani, Tennis, Tennis News, Wimbledon, Wta