Brutal truth about Bernard Tomic's $80,000 Wimbledon scandal emerges

Bernard Tomic’s massive fine at Wimbledon was just the latest controversy in the Aussie star’s tumultuous career.

But his staggering fall from grace has been highlighted by the fact he’s now forced to play a third-tier challenger event in an attempt to qualify for the US Open.

Currently ranked No.103 in the world, Tomic is heading to the Winnipeg Challenger in an attempt to rack up some wins that would push him into automatic qualification zone for Flushing Meadows.

And in a brutal reality check, the prize money on offer is a mere $10,400 - nearly an eighth of the amount he was docked at Wimbledon for performing ‘below professional standards’.

Tomic has actually taken legal advice as he appeals the record-setting fine.

He was docked STG45,000 ($A80,762) - his entire first-round prize money - for allegedly not giving his best efforts during a 6-2 6-1 6-4 loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Tsonga and world No.1 Novak Djokovic, along with Tomic's fellow Australians Nick Kyrgios and John Millman and former US Open women's champion Sloane Stephens, have all questioned the fairness of the heavy-handed sanctioning.

Tomic to challenge fine

Now Tomic will challenge it, claiming he was sick before taking the court for the 58-minute cameo, the shortest men's singles match at the All England Club in 15 years.

"Flying from Turkey and losing in 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."

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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."

with agencies