Tomic to critics: Think about your dream car, house 'while I go buy them'
Despite universal backlash, a $15,000 fine from Wimbledon, and a lost racket sponsorship, Bernard Tomic doesn't regret telling the world he's completely bored with his profession.
"You probably don't like me but, at only 24, you guys can only dream about having what I have at 24," Tomic told his ever-growing mountain of critics, via The Sydney Morning Herald. "End of the day, don't like me or whatever. Just go back dreaming about your dream car or house while I go buy them."
Tomic - whose mental state has been questioned more than once during his career - sent shockwaves through the sport following his first-round loss at the All England Club, when he admitted he isn't motivated to play tennis anymore. The Australian also revealed he feigned an injury in the straight-sets loss to Mischa Zverev in order to acquire a timeout and disrupt his opponent's rhythm.
"I'm happy with my life," he told reporters in the post-match press conference. "It's my choice. I know I have to work hard. For sure I don't do the right work. But I feel holding a trophy or doing well doesn't satisfy me anymore. It's not there. I couldn't care less if I make a fourth-round US Open or I lose first round. To me, everything is the same.
"You know, I'm going to play another 10 years, and I know after my career I won't have to work again."
Tomic, who's earned roughly $5 million in his career, drew the ire of just about everyone with his comments, including his own father.
"He's my son, I love him, but I'm ashamed at how he's approaching his business - it's not good what he's doing," John Tomic said. "I do not support such behavior, especially at (a) unique grand slam like Wimbledon. You have to have respect and follow the rules. You have to work hard. You have to put in 100 percent and challenge yourself."
John is no stranger to controversy either, with his son once asking a chair umpire to eject him from the stands for being too "annoying." The senior Tomic picked up a reputation for being a hothead while coaching his son for several years and was also once banned 12 months from the ATP World Tour for headbutting Bernard's hitting partner.
Bernard - who was once hailed as the top tennis prospect in Australia - got as high as No. 17 in the world rankings last year. He currently sits at No. 59.