Australia Davis Cup captain Pat Rafter has questioned rising star Bernard Tomic’s work ethic after the loss to Switzerland.
Just moments after Switzerland defeated Australia3-2 in the Davis Cup World Group qualifying play-off, Rafter made some blunt assessments of the career of Tomic, who produced his best result at a grand slam earlier this year when he reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon.
“It all depends on whether he wants to work hard,” said Rafter, a two-time US Open winner and former world No.1, when asked about Tomic’s future in the game.
“If he wants to work hard he’ll get the results, but he’s got to start having consistent results every time he walks onto the court and putting everything out there.
“That’s been one of the weak parts of his game, that he’s not applying himself day in, day out.
“He can’t expect to be a good player and not commit to any sport.
“When he’s ready to do that he will become a very good player.”
Rafter believes the 18-year-old is physically up to the challenge of competing with the ATP Tour’s elite players, but it’s the mental side of the game is where he needs to ask some hard questions.
“I think he’s physically OK … but on court he needs to be a bit more disciplined in his attitude and a bit more harder work.
“I’ve told him a few times; it’s up to him now to make his decision.
“He’s a young kid who’s having a bit of fun as well … he’s going through that stage of life I guess.”
Australiamissed the Davis Cup World Group for the fifth consecutive year when Lleyton Hewitt lost his final rubber against Stanislas Wawrinka at Royal Sydney.
Tomic won his opening rubber against Wawrinka on Friday, before going down to world No.3 Roger Federer in the reverse singles on Sunday.
by Buford Balony
