Despite poor showings at recent major tournaments, Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic insists he’s feeling physically and mentally primed for a big display at this year’s Wimbledon.
Tomic announced himself on the international stage by making the quarter-finals at the All England Club in 2011, but his career has stalled since. The 21-year-old has only showed glimpses of his best the past three years and has more often made headlines for his off-court antics.
But Tomic, who takes on 100th-ranked Evgeny Dovosky in his first-round match tonight, said he was ready to make an impact at the world’s most famous tennis tournament.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” he told Fairfax Media. “The first match is going to be very important for me to win and break through, and then who knows after? I’m going to need a good feel for the court if I win leading into the second round.”
Tomic said Wimbledon brought out the best in him. “I always play well here, so I’m happy to be back,” he said. “It’s been a rough few months with the injuries and the surgeries I’ve had, so I’m happy to be playing one of my favourite tournaments, so hopefully I can play well again.”
If Tomic does succeed in winning his first-round match, the Gold Coast native will likely play sixth-seed Tomas Berdych in his next game. A tough second-round clash also looms for fellow Australian Lleyton Hewitt. If the 2002 champion prevails against 117th-ranked Michal Przysiezny first up, he will almost certainly take on 2013 semi-finalist Jerzy Janowicz next.
Australia’s top-ranked female player, Samantha Stosur, opens her Wimbledon campaign against Belgian Yanina Wickmayer.
