The No. 17th-ranked player, who indicated that someone texted him the just-announced draw during his warm-up, told Layhani, "I have a good draw in Melbourne."
"I’m looking for Melbourne, I’m not looking for this," he said, apparently referring to the 250 event in Sydney. "I have to make final to make points. I have to win to go to 16th."
During the conversation, Layhani told Tomic, "Don't even think about that. Do your best."
Both laughed about their exchange as Tomic walked to the baseline.
During his press conference, Tomic said he was "a bit sick" the night before.
"It’s been the same thing at the hotel, a lot of fish and rice this week," he said. “I didn’t sleep a lot last night—a few hours—and I woke up very early because I had to come here. It was a 10:30 a.m. start and we were all here at 8 a.m., 8.30 a.m. With the traffic, everything was a bit complicated this morning; not feeling my greatest."
Because of rain delays, the 24-year-old would have had to play two matches in one day to get to the final, something that appeared to have affected his decision.
"I actually thought I was playing one match today, and then I looked at the schedule again," he said. "If I was 100 percent and ready and not feeling the way I was, I would for sure fight on court and [try] to win the match and this event."
Asked about his conversation with Layhani, Tomic initially said he could not recall what was said and requested a reminder.
Then he said, "I told him two matches today. [I’m] sick, trying to win the tournament to go up one spot. It doesn’t sound good for me, does it?”
Even before the match, Tomic indicated that he was torn about participating.
“Maybe it's not the smartest idea playing before the Grand Slam, especially with my seed now,” he said following his third-round win. “I think if I won this tournament I would only go up a spot, so [it’s] not really difficult. You have to play the bigger tournaments now.”
On the other hand…
"I play for titles,” he said. “The more I win, the better. I love Sydney so much, so I love to be here."
When asked about the other withdrawals at the tournament, Tomic again indicated that what’s most important is staying healthy.
“People are withdrawing,” he said. “People, they want to feel the best at the Australian Open. That's what you play for, the big tournaments. You want try your best at every tournament, but if your body is not ready to play, obviously I would do the same."
A week ago, Tomic reached the semifinals in Brisbane before going straight to Sydney. He also created waves by getting into a confrontation with staff members at a local club over a AU$20 court fee.
Tomic is scheduled to play Denis Istomin in the first round of the Australian Open, and then either Simon Bolleli or Brain Baker. No. 20 seed Fabio Fognini is a potential third-round opponent.
