Bernard Tomic admitted on Tuesday that he had lost all motivation for tennis and couldn't care less if he won or lost as every single Australian crashed out of Wimbledon men's first round.
The talented Tomic was once mooted as a rising star of the sport but says he has hit a mental block, facing another decade drifting around the tour earning money but with little chance of breaking the big four's stranglehold on the major prizes.
"Holding a trophy or doing well, it doesn't satisfy me anymore. It's not there," the 24-year-old said after being dumped out by Germany's Mischa Zverev, as all seven Australian men flopped at the first hurdle.
"I wasn't mentally and physically there with my mental state to perform. I felt a little bit bored out there. I couldn't care less if I make a fourth round US Open or I lose first round. To me, everything is the same. I'm going to play another 10 years, and I know after my career I won't have to work again.”
"You know, I know I have another 10 years to go. We all work for one thing. And I believe, you know, you have to respect the sport. But I think I don't respect it enough, yes, because I, you can say, super talented."
No commitment
Tomic reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2011 and is the Australian number two behind Nick Kyrgios — another troubled character.
But his world ranking has slumped from a career high of 17 last year down to 59.
"I just can't seem to find the commitment to work hard, to enjoy, and to lift trophies," he admitted.
"I'm just not super pleased, not happy with myself. I'm still 24, and it's tough to find motivation."
Tomic accepted he could shake up his support team in a bid to get his career going again but said: "I don't think I really want it".
Tomic's 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 defeat to 27th seed Zverev was all over in an hour and 24 minutes.
"I don't know what was wrong with him but I could definitely tell he was not 100 percent," said Zverev. "Between points he was walking slowly, and he definitely acted like something was wrong."
It added to a played seven, lost seven wipeout of Australia's men at Wimbledon.
On Tuesday, Thanasi Kokkinakis was beaten in four sets by 29th seed and former US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro, while Jordan Thompson lost in straight sets to Spanish 25th seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
On Monday's opening day, Kyrgios retired hurt, struggling with a left hip injury, while John Millman lost to Rafael Nadal and qualifier Andrew Whittington went out to Thiago Monteiro.
Kokkinakis bats for Tomic's return
Thanasi Kokkinakas, who lost to Juan del Potro 6-3, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, said he hopes that country-mate Tomic will pull it through the tough time.
"Bernie has been playing Wimbledon since he was about 11. Maybe he's bored. I'm not sure. I do know he's skillful and hopefully he gets it together because he's a good player."
When asked about Tomic's post-match comments, Kokkinakis said, "It's crazy he's 24 because he was been around so long. He was so good young. I think personally he's like a top five talent in the world. But I don't know. It's tough for him. There is a lot of pressure on him obviously. He came up being so good. Hopefully he can get it together because he's a really good player, especially when he's switched on. He's so skillful."
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