'I didn't lose 6-0 6-0 6-0': Bernard Tomic set to appeal Wimbledon fine
Australian Bernard Tomic said he planned to appeal against his fine for not playing to "required professional standards" during his 58-minute, first-round thrashing by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at Wimbledon, as he had been unwell at the time.
Tomic lost Tuesday's match 6-2 6-1 6-4 in a performance described as "appalling" and "embarrassing" on social media and the 26-year-old was fined 45,000 pounds (AU$80,000) by tournament organisers.
It was the shortest Wimbledon men's match for 15 years and the second shortest men's singles match at the All England Club since records began in 2002.
"Flying from Turkey and losing in (the) quarter-finals (there), playing few matches in 40C heat and I was run down and became a bit unwell over the weekend," Tomic told News Corp Australia.
"I then competed with one of the top five players on grass, losing 6-2 6-1 6-4. I didn't lose 6-0 6-0 6-0.
"From the start of the match I knew I had very little chance because I was feeling down but I thought I would go on court to try (because) it's Wimbledon."
To Tomic’s point, it was noted by tennis reporters that he was no less successful against Tsonga than Tsonga was against Rafael Nadal in the third round.
Tsonga wins 38% of total points against Nadal.
Bernard Tomic wins 38% of total points against Tsonga.
Perhaps Tsonga should be fined his bonus 3rd round prize money, no?#Wimbledon #ATP #WTA #Tennis— Cale Hammond (@Cale_Hammond) July 6, 2019
I mean, you see why this Tomic thing is such a slippery slope, yeah?
0% of prize money for winning 38% of points just seems ludicrously harsh to me. #Wimbledon
https://t.co/PDioa8mYGV— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 6, 2019
Frenchman Tsonga said he felt his victory had been devalued after Tomic was fined and pointed out that the Australian had put up a fight in the third set.
"I had no chance, it was 6-2 6-1 before I knew it," Tomic added.
"The third set was a little better but still felt quick. At the end of the day, my best efforts were super poor that day but it's all I had.
"My movement normally is pretty bad, it just became super slow motion on court. Tsonga was serving amazing and taking so little time between serves, pushing me to also play.
"Sorry, guys, for feeling unwell."
The Australian, ranked 96th in the world, has not moved past the first round in any of the three grand slams this year, losing in straight sets in all his matches.
It is not the first time Tomic has been in trouble for not trying.
He was nicknamed ‘Tomic the Tank Engine’ after accusations that he ‘tanked’ – or failed to try his best – in a loss to Andy Roddick at the 2012 US Open.
with Reuters
