{"id":30644,"date":"2025-03-05T03:33:10","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T03:33:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=30644"},"modified":"2025-03-05T03:33:10","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T03:33:10","slug":"rafael-nadal-friendship-nick-kyrgios-jannik-sinner-feud-more-bernard-tomic-opens-up-in-exclusive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=30644","title":{"rendered":"Rafael Nadal friendship, Nick Kyrgios-Jannik Sinner feud & more: Bernard Tomic opens up in Exclusive"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\"Aussie
Aussie tennis wild child Bernard Tomic talks about a variety of topic in Exclusive | Image Source: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n

Bernard Tomic is one of the biggest “What ifs” in modern pro tennis. The Aussie has always had a tactically astute game. However, the focus on his on-court performance often took a backseat to his off-court persona, which has polarized many fans in the last few years.<\/p>\n

From his brash comments on Roger Federer ‘having to get to him’ ahead of their 2013 Australian Open match, to his prospective boxing match with Nick Kyrgios (that unfortunately never happened), the former World No. 17’s behavior was always at odds with the serenity of the sport.<\/p>\n

These days, the 32-year-old has made the ATP Challenger and ITF Futures circuit an avenue for his talent. And while many fans would believe that the former tennis prodigy is still as grating as ever, he is soft inside and speaks about his past on the tour with deep reverence.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

During his recent outing at the DafaNews Bengaluru Open,\u00a0Sportskeeda<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0had the chance to sit with\u00a0Bernard Tomic\u00a0for an exclusive interview, where the Aussie talked about his goals, his relationship with Rafael Nadal, his favorite city in India, Jannik Sinner’s recent doping ban, and Nick Kyrgios’ recent fixation with the Italian.<\/p>\n

\n

Exclusive chat with Bernard Tomic<\/h2>\n

Sportskeeda: You were a tour-level mainstay for the majority of the last decade. What were your goals that you had set for yourself back then? And are they different from your goals right now?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bernard Tomic<\/strong>: My goals constantly change man, so I don’t know. Um, we’re just playing tennis, you know, I don’t think you should make goals. I think it’s… some people believe in this. I mean, you just gotta play, I guess, what you do. Whatever sport you do. Whatever business you do, you know? Life is an interesting field.<\/p>\n

Sportskeeda: You won a Futures in Chennai last year, how has your experience in India been?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bernard Tomic<\/strong>: Yeah, last year was six weeks in India, in Chennai. But I think my favorite city is Bangalore, you know. Delhi is a little bit pollution, I wasn’t a fan, but Bangalore was for me one with the nicest cities so far. Yeah, great hotels. Great restaurants, good, huh?<\/p>\n

Sportskeeda: Let’s talk about your time at the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) in 2015. There is a viral video of\u00a0<\/strong>Rafael Nadal<\/strong>\u00a0saying that “Close the bar” when Tomic is coming. That seemed like a remark from someone who has taken well with you. How would you describe your relationship with him off the court?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bernard Tomic<\/strong>: Yeah, I was pretty good with Rafa and we managed to play doubles once I think (at the\u00a02016 Indian Wells Masters). We can all learn from, you know, Rafa and these tough guys, they were the champions of our sport. But he was a really humble person, not just as a player, he was a great person off the court. So, you know, I wish him the best in his continued life, and all the success he has had.<\/p>\n

\n