Bernard Tomic sets infamous ATP Challenger record

Former world number 17 Bernard Tomic registers an unwanted record during the ATP Challengers event. The 39-year-old was once regarded as one of the most talented players coming from Australia and played a big role in helping his country in playing in the Davis Cup semifinal in 2015.

However, Tomic had a day to forget as he suffered the defeat in the final of an ATP Challenger event in Fairfield, Connecticut which lasted just 39 matches. It was the shorted final in the history of ATP Challengers events where the Stuttgart-born lost to America’s Learner Tien with a score of 6-0, 6-1. Tomic ended up making six double faults in the match whereas his opponent did not make a single double fault.

He only managed to win 21 points in the match, 29 fewer than Tien. His opponent converted five out of nine break points. On the other hand, Tomic was never in contention to win a breakpoint. He won just 15 service points, 13 fewer than his rival. Before the start of the final, Tomic had a decent campaign where he lost just two sets in four matches.

He defeated Max Wiskandt of Germany in the opening round in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 7-6. He then got the better of Britain’s Max Basing in the round of 16 with a score of 4-6, 7-6, 6-1. Tomic then won against Canada’s Alexis Galarneau in the quarterfinal with a score of 7-6, 1-6, 7-6. In the semifinal, he registered a thumping win in straight sets against fellow Australian Tristan Schoolkate with a score of 6-3, 6-3. Despite playing consistently, Tomic has not played in a Grand Slam since 2021. His last appearance in a major event was in the Australian Open 2021 where he was knocked out after losing in the second round. Since then, he has only played in three qualifying rounds of a Grand Slam and has never managed to cement his place in the main draw.