Sydney (AFP) – Troubled tennis star Bernard Tomic said Friday he will not be available to represent Australia at this year’s Rio Olympics, citing a busy playing schedule.
It follows Tomic and fiery compatriot Nick Kyrgios being warned that their on-court behaviour could threaten their places on the Australian team for the Games in August.
The world number 22 will instead play an ATP Tour event in Mexico, which is on at the same time.
“With a heavy sense of regret, I have made the difficult decision to not play with the Australian tennis team as they pursue an Olympic medal in Rio,” he said in a statement.
“I have always proudly represented my country in Davis Cup and given my all when wearing the green and gold, but on the basis of my extremely busy playing schedule and my own personal circumstances, I am regrettably unable to commit to this year’s tournament.
“I make this decision based on what is best for my tennis career.”
The announcement comes after widespread criticism of Tomic’s on-court attitude in recent events and concern over his behaviour by the Australian Olympic Committee.
He made headlines last week when he turned his racquet the wrong way to face a match point in the Madrid Masters first round against Fabio Fognini.
Tomic later told his post-match news conference: “I don’t care about that match point. Would you care if you were 23 and worth over $10 million?”
It prompted Australia’s Olympic chef de mission Kitty Chiller to call his behaviour in Madrid “appalling”.
The young Australian then lasted just eight minutes in his opening clash in Rome last weekend.
He retired after a medical timeout when he was leading French opponent Benoit Paire 2-1, saying he had been “feeling bad all night”.
Tomic has a catalogue of lax commitment in matches, which has earned him the nickname “Tomic the Tank Engine,” and he was savaged in the Australian press this week.
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