A Tale of Two Eras

Bernard Tomic, who peaked at No. 17 in the world in 2016, offers a unique viewpoint on the changing dynamics within professional tennis. He suggests that the competitive intensity he faced during his prime, battling against titans like Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, surpasses that of today’s top players.

Acknowledging the New Guard

While acknowledging the skill of the rising stars, Tomic maintains a firm belief in the superior difficulty of his era. In a recent interview on the Australian Póstccast The Changover, Tomic stated:

I see Sinner, I see Messik winning Novak yesterday [Djokovic] In the final. These guys hit the ball incredible. Having that powerful and precise hit is a huge advantage. Sinner and company are authentic champions. The way they impact the ball is crazy, and its mobility too.

He recognizes the power and precision of modern players like Jannik Sinner, noting their extraordinary ball-striking and agility.

The Crucible of Competition

Despite his admiration for the current generation, Tomic emphasizes the unparalleled depth of competition he encountered. He recalls an era dominated by legends:

When I was in the top 20, even in the Top-10, it was a much harder time. Federer,Nadal,Djokovic,Murray,all those names … Berdych, of the Potro. I sincerely believe that it was the best era of tennis.

this “golden age” featured not only the “Big Four” but also formidable opponents like Tomas Berdych and juan martín del Potro, creating a fiercely competitive surroundings.

Flashback: The 2016 ATP Landscape

in 2016, the year Tomic achieved his career-high ranking, the top of the ATP leaderboard was a gauntlet of legendary players:

• No. 1: Novak Djokovic
• No. 2: Andy Murray
• No. 3: Roger federer

Other prominent players in the top echelon included Rafael Nadal, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer, and Kei Nishikori, underscoring the depth of talent at the time.

Reflecting on Missed Opportunities

Tomic acknowledges his own limitations while highlighting the strength of his competition:

It is indeed true that I never won a Grand Slam or really close, but I played in the most demanding stage of tennis. I lost many times in eighths, even in the quarterfinals, against those circuit monsters: federer, Nadal, Murray, Berdych … It was really complicated.

He suggests that his Grand Slam aspirations were often thwarted by the sheer dominance of these established stars.

Hypothetical Matchups

Tomic boldly asserts that the current top-10 would struggle against the players of his era:

The current top-10 has nothing to do with that of ten or fifteen years ago. I do not say that they are not good players, much less, but if some of the boys now had to measure Berdych or the foal, the face to face would be an 8-2 or 7-3 against him, that pairing would not do well.

He believes that players like Berdych and del potro would pose important challenges for today’s stars.

A Different Timeline?

Tomic concludes with a wistful reflection on how his career might have unfolded in a different era:

Maybe he would have reached another Grand Slam semifinal if they had not been in that period.

He implies that the presence of so many dominant players during his prime may have limited his potential for Grand Slam success.

Further Insights

For a deeper analysis of Tomic’s career and his views on the evolution of tennis, watch the following video: