Bernard Tomic is resetting his Top 10 goal following a season of controversy that saw him fall to No. 26 in the rankings.
Picked up by courtside microphones in Sydney in January, the 24-year-old Australian questioned if he should keep playing the tournament. It happened again during the first round of the Davis Cup; Tomic criticized teammate Nick Kyrgios, who was not playing the tie because of injury. Tomic also drew criticism for hitting a return with his racquet handle in Rome, and was fined for getting into an argument with a spectator at the U.S. Open.
"I’m not the best, not the brightest, but we all have our problems," Tomic told Australian reporters. "I think the main thing is I’m doing what I love and I really respect the sport."
After publicly declaring his Top 10 ambitions at the start of the season, Tomic is doing so again.
"I would like to reach the Top 10 mark," he said, though he noted that his behavior will require an adjustment. "Mentality is the key. It’s why the Top 5, Top 10 are so good. It’s something I lack."
But Tomic also pointed to the media, saying he and Kyrgios have not been portrayed accurately.
“We are young, we are successful,” he said. “But it turns into a bit of negative energy when we do things wrong. Sometimes we do push it more than we should … But that is our personality, our character. No one is perfect, but I think we’re doing a pretty good job.”
Tomic has trialed different coaches during his career, but has returned to working with his controversial father, John. Kyrgios, on the other hand, has not had a coach in more than a year-and-a-half following some frequent changes.
“We are very different, we are very interesting,” Tomic said. “He doesn’t have a coach and he’s No. 13 in the world, so he’s doing a great job … Obviously, you need a mentor.”
Tomic added, however, that the biggest influence will be their hard work.
"That will determine whether we will be top players, or just good players,” he said.