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9/21/11 2:23 PM | Johan Lindahl
Aussie teenaged hope Bernard Tomic has gotten some stern advice from his Davis Cup coach, with Patrick Rafter advising the youngster to start working harder if he wants to make an impression in the game.
It's not all one-way traffic from coach to pupil: the Australian team needs Wimbledon quarter-finalist Tomic to make a breakthrough now that 199th-ranked Lleyton Hewitt is clearly entering the endgame of his brilliant career.
Tomic, 18 and ranked 59th, beat Robin Sodering at Wimbledon and won a set off of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. But Australian tennis has a proud history and Tomic will have to lift his game, according to Rafter, who handed over the torch a decade ago to the young gun Hewitt.
"If he wants to work hard, he will get the results, and he's got to start having consistent results every time he walks on the court," said Rafter as Australia was denied a return to the Davis Cup World Group in a 3-2 loss in Sydney to Switzerland.
Added two-time US Open winner Rafter, one of the most popular Aussies ever to play the game: "That has been one of the weak parts of his game - that he is not applying himself day in, day out - and so that's up to him.
"He's got a lot of great things and great strengths about his game, but he has to commit to it. I think he's physically okay, but on court he needs to be just a bit more disciplined in his attitude and do a bit more hard work - just get a lot more miles in his legs and (be) ready to just sort of take on those matches day in, day out, over a long period of time."
The former US and Australian Open junior winner has yet to lift a first ATP title.
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In the spirit of finally getting back to all things tennis, I think that Rafter seems to feel that Tomic needs to step it up now that Hewitt is nearing the end of his career. He has been carrying the hopes of Australia for a long time, but injuries and surgery hampered his career badly. Rafter seems to want Tomic to be ready now to take over for Hewitt and those are some big shoes to fill.
This is a very competitive time in men's tennis, to say the least. Rafter should not put public pressure on this young man. Let him develop at his own pace. Pushing young kids too fast is one way to burn them out before their careers have even begun.
Nativenewyorker , 9/22/11 11:06 AM
Rafa had his first GS at age 19 (exactly?, if i remembered right it was also his birthday back in 2005)... Who knows, this Tomic boy might just duplicate this extraordinary feat. ;-)
phoenix , 9/22/11 11:26 AM
It's possible that Rafter knows something about Tomic that we don't and that's why he's said what he has. OTOH, if it's just because he realizes that Australia is in desperate need of a champion, he should lay off. Tomic will break through when he breaks through.
cherylmurray , 9/22/11 2:49 PM
i think what happened is that Rafter figured out what we already knew!
RickyDimon , 9/22/11 3:22 PM
phoenix: I was at Roland Garros when he beat Federer in the SF on the day of his 19th birthday. He went on to win the title two days later.
ed251137 , 9/22/11 3:53 PM
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As good as my word...;) I think Rafter is being a bit harsh here. Tomic is very young and by all accounts has a "difficult" father. I think Rafter should have given this kind of advice in private.
Tomic had a brilliant Wimbledon and a disappointing USOpen. Clearly he has bags of talent. Rafter should be more supportive. Reminds me of Lloyd....and no greater insult....
deuce , 9/22/11 8:56 AM