Bernard Tomic Goes on Epic Rant vs. Rafter, Tennis Australia

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Bernard Tomic Goes on Epic Rant vs. Rafter, Tennis Australia

Bernard Tomic had a lot to say after his straight-sets loss to Novak Djokovic on Day 5 at Wimbledon—maybe a little bit too much.

More: Tomic Arrested in Miami

The Aussie launched into a tirade with little prodding during his press conference, singling out the leaders of his federation for corruption and bemoaning the lack of financial support he has received.

“There is a lot of stuff that's involved now that I'm very disappointed in which I'd like to talk to you guys about,” he began. And a few minutes later, he started really digging in. “Very disappointed in Craig Tiley in Tennis Australia. He's the reason the last few years, it's been up and down for me… There has been no respect I think towards me. It's been difficult, you know, [I have] been good player the last three, four years coming up, and, you know, people expecting a lot from you. All of a sudden, things started changing after I had that surgery (Tomic underwent double-hip surgery last season). You know, I didn't get one phone call from Tennis Australia, ‘Can we help you, Bernard? Can we do this? Do you need something?’ You know, ‘Can we give you something?’ Nothing. No phone calls were there.” Tomic was far from done.

“It's not about the money. It's about the respect,” he said. “Meanwhile, [Tennis Australia is] buying these players overseas, doing this, doing that, buying players instead of supporting us, junior players…”

Tomic went on to poke fingers at Tennis Australia’s chief, Craig Tiley, saying he snuck into his job and adding that his rise has marked the beginning of his trouble with the federation and insinuating the misuse of funds.

“You understand… Now, why I have to play Davis Cup for these people and administration down there, Tiley and these guys,” he said. “Ever since [Tiley] came in, he knows how he got in. In a sneaky way he got his position and only he knows himself how he got this position. Everything started changing and stuff. No one is mentioning him. He's doing a lot of stuff. They are holding so much money down there, and doing what they want, increasing their salary, this, that, giving Pat a salary, it's like saying, ‘Here, Pat, here's a salary.’ He doesn't know what he's doing. They are giving him a budget. He doesn't know what he's doing. What's his job? Deal with it, Pat. You're the mask. He's a mask for these guys, Craig and Steve. They don't want to deal with this. They give it to Pat. ‘You do the work.’ You take care of this and that. He doesn't know what he's doing.”

Tennis Australia reportedly had a meeting last night at Wimbledon after Tomic spoke, and released the following statements on Twitter:

Bernard #Tomic post-match allegations about TA were misinformed, untrue & disappointing
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) July 4, 2015

TA remains committed to implementing the best culture possible, with a philosophy of opportunity, not entitlement
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) July 4, 2015

Jim Courier, at his commentating perch for Tennis Channel had the following to say about Tomic’s rant: “Let’s be clear, Bernard Tomic is picking a fight with the wrong people here. Craig Tiley, who he references, is a tournament director and chief of Tennis Australia. The most popular figure as far as tournament directors go in the world of tennis. He has wide support across the board. And Pat Rafter, I’ll have you know, is the most popular sportsman in Australia today. Rafter has that much currency…

He added: “[Bernard] had a bone to pick. He’s done a couple of things wrong here. He’s picked on the wrong people. He’s going to be crucified in the press. And Pat Rafter will not hold back when he’s asked about this—he never holds back which is why we love him so much.”

Tomic’s rant comes after his father, John, criticized Tennis Australia for not backing his daughter (Bernard’s sister) financially. There is also lots of history to consider, as Tomic and his father have been ruffling the feathers of Tennis Australia for years, a period that has seen them find lots of trouble off the court. With other youngsters rising up the ranks and garnering more attention than Tomic, the Aussie will certainly have some explaining to do about his recent comments.

“This guy has received well over a million dollars in support from Tennis Australia,” added Courier. “Guess how much he’s going to receive going forward?”

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