BERNIE TOMIC LANDS IN JAIL, PAT RAFTER IS IN HIS OWN IGLOO & WHY CAN’T TENNIS AUSTRALIA UNDERSTAND “THE THREE AMIGOS”

Written by: on 17th July 2015
BERNIE TOMIC LANDS IN JAIL, PAT RAFTER IS IN HIS OWN IGLOO & WHY CAN'T TENNIS AUSTRALIA UNDERSTAND "THE THREE AMIGOS"  |

GOING DOWN Down Under: Aussies Struggle In First Day Of Davis Cup Tennis By Ricky Dimon

 

Things have gone from bad to worse for Tennis Australia.

 

Bernard Tomic

First the federation banned Bernard Tomic from Davis Cup, after which the 22-year-old took a wild card into the U.S. Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, lost in the first round, flew to Miami, and got arrested. Then a spat between Nick Kyrgios and Patrick Rafter stole some headlines.

 

Now Australia is failing on the court, too. The host nation trails Kazakhstan 2-0 after the first day of Davis Cup quarterfinal action despite being favored in both singles rubbers. After Thanasi Kokkinakis got clobbered by Mikhail Kukushkin 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 on Friday afternoon, Kyrgios was stunned by Aleksandr Nedovyesov 7-6(5), 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 6-4.

 

During the loss, Kyrgios broke two rackets in succession, blasted a ball out of the stadium, and muttered, “I don’t want to be here.”

 

“Personally I don’t think I was mentally ready,” the world No. 41 assessed. “Physically I was okay, my body was good, but mentally I almost felt a bit drained out there. It was hard to focus; it was hard to really dig deep (and) push myself. There was lots going on and the more I experience [Davis Cup], the better I will get at it.”

 

The mood got better in Great Britain after a rough start saw James Ward go down to Gilles Simon in straight sets to begin the Brits quarterfinal tie against France. Andy Murray responded to defeat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5, 7-6(10), 6-2.

 

As many expected, the Brits and Frenchmen are tied 1-1 heading into Saturday’s doubles showdown. It is likely to feature Dominic Inglot and Jamie Murray for the home team against France’s Richard Gasquet and Nicolas Mahut. Sunday’s opener between Murray and Simon is guaranteed to be a live rubber.

 

In another tie, Belgium is rolling over a depleted Canadian squad 2-0. Without Milos Raonic and Wimbledon quarterfinalist Vasek Pospisil, the visitors nominated Frank Dancevic and Filip Peliwo for singles. Steve Darcis defeated Dancevic 3-6, 6-1, 7-5, 6-3 and David Goffin took care of Peliwo 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

 

The Canadians could have a better chance in doubles with veteran Daniel Nestor as the anchor. Nestor and Adil Shamasdin are scheduled to face Belgium’s Ruben Bemelmans and Kimmer Coppejans on Saturday.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

 

 

10sBalls_com EDITORS NOTES : Bernie, Thanasi, and Nick are the ‘three amigos’….

They are young and super talented. They are all Rebels. They are all talented. I did mention that a few times. The trio need some understanding. They don’t need anybody that’s ancient trying to mold them into the cookie cutters.

The greatest tennis coach ever without question was Harry Hopman. Did Laver, Rosewall, Hoad or Emerson get their egos or talents scrunched out of shape…. Nope! Hopman knew that no two guys were the same. Treat each guy differently. (as the indivuals they are) 

These boys need guidance and time. They are ‘millenials’ with shorter attention spans and social media.

All three are getting raw deals. No one worse than Bernie who they are ready to throw away. (already threw away..)

Someone save these lost boys. They need an open minded leader to help focus them. They deserve respect. They are all talented. They have dozens of slams in them. Agassi wasn’t a rebel? Nick Bollettieri found a way to harness his growing pains.

Put a light on the path for the boys. Tiriac knew how to focus Nastase and Becker and Goran. He managed to let them still be themselves and brought out their greatness.

Tennis Australia should be ashamed of themselves. Help the boys. This divide and conquer approach brings out more anger and obstacles.

Pat Rafter should be ashamed of his inability to have let this get so far out of control. (LJ)

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