Tomic might just get a wildcard into the Brisbane International
Once the pride, joy and hope of Tennis Australia, Bernard Tomic is no longer living the high life where everything he ever wanted was handed over to him on a silver platter. This time around he will be forced to 'earn' the wildcard to the Brisbane International
by having to go head to head with some of the most talented young local players.
Yes, Tomic’s dreams of being a wildcard entrant at the tournament have been saved from being crushed and that too just in the nick of time. The player may be receiving an 11th hour invitation to the event which starts on Sunday but as a result
of the most heartbreaking injury to the local teenager, Jason Kubler. Kubler was the top favourite for the position before the unlucky injury.
This time around, Tomic has been made to sweat quite a lot over the wildcard which will be assigned by a team of officials. The decision has so far been delayed as one of the members; Pat Rafter, the brains behind the Davis Cup, is currently in Iceland.
Tomic was awarded wildcards in both the first two editions of the Brisbane International and both times he was beaten out of the first rounds. The same happened at the Australian Open. All in all, Kubler was thought to have had better credentials for the
third wildcard. The first two wildcards went to John Millman and Marinko Matosevic.
However, as 17 year old Kubler – who is Rafter's personal favourite due to his talent and attitude – cannot recover in time for the event, Tennis Australia is urging him to look towards the autumn clay court season. In the past all wildcards have typically
been assigned at least a week in advance of the tournament. This time the decision was delayed due to the uncertainty surrounding Kubler’s injury.
The Qualifying rounds are all set to begin on Sunday and Tomic needs one of the four wildcards to get into the 32-string qualifying draw. That is if he is still not considered in the late Thursday or early Friday main draw call-up for the event.
However, rumour has it that Tomic will have to play the three qualifying matches to get into the event, while the wildcard goes to another emerging talent.
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