Australian Bernard Tomic is seemingly more prepared to act upon some free 2011 advice from tennis king Roger Federer, showing renewed form and ambition this season and winning ten of his first 11 matches and earning a first ATP title.
The lone defeat to date came from the Swiss master in the Australian Open third round at the weekend.
Two years ago, Federer spoke with Tomic after solicitations during a Davis Cup tie from captain Patrick Rafter. But the words of wisdom from the 17-time Grand Slam champion seemed to fall on deaf ears as Tomic’s momentum all but stopped over the next year.
After being dropped from next week’s Davis tie with Taiwan, Tomic is a changed — and more motivated — player as he works to improve a number 43 standing.
But humble is not a word that describes the brash 20-year-old.
“It’s just a matter of time when I get up to the big group of boys in the top 10. I’ve got to believe and do the things that I was doing the last few weeks.
“I know I’m going to be in there with this attitude. I’ve been playing amazing tennis,” he told local media.
“But I’ve got the right goal, the mindset to do what it is I need to do. I’m going to sit down and have my rest time, train, get ready for each tournament I play, like I did here, like I did last week and the week before.
“It’s a challenge, but I’ve committed to myself I’m up for it. I can’t wait for the next tournament to start.”
