From hero to zero: Bernard Tomic goes from record-fast win to near-record loss after lacklustre Los Cabos display

It is fair to say that it has been a rather eventful week for Bernard Tomic. Qualifying for the Los Cabos Open via the lucky loser route after not playing his final qualifying match, he would win his opening match in record time before not looking like he was trying in a lifeless 6-1, 6-0 loss to Cameron Norrie in the quarter-finals.

It was the first ATP tournament he had qualified for almost a year, and it would be his first quarter-final since 2019 following a downfall in tennis which sees him predominantly compete on the Challenger Tour.

The controversial Aussie is again back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after what was a very bemusing time in Mexico, ending with a whimper.

Tomic began his quest to qualify by defeating Miguel Tobon 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5). It was a remarkably tight match but one the 33-year-old was able to win. He would then not play against the third seed Tristan Boyer, handing the American a free route into the main draw while it seemed certain that his ATP Tour drought would continue.

However, he got a second chance as a lucky loser which saw fans wanting the rules to be changed. As the fifth seed in qualifying, he benefited from his ranking with him the highest ranked player to reach the second round of qualifying while not being in the main draw. The rules indicated he would be entered despite not stepping onto court prior to this.

His opening round match was a blur, taking down Alex Hernandez 6-1, 6-0. Blink and you will miss it with Tomic recording the fastest ATP win recorded in 2026, needing just 46 minutes to send the Mexican out. It was a first ATP win since the 2025 Mallorca Championships.

He then conjured up a huge surprise in the form of a 6-2, 6-4 win against the fourth seed Karen Khachanov. He won the final four games of the match and sailed into the last-eight. Awaiting him was Cameron Norrie, with a lot of hype surrounding Tomic. It would soon be extinguished.

From breaking the record of the fastest win, Tomic almost broke the record of the fastest loss. 50 minutes after the first ball was hit, Norrie was confirmed to be in the semi-finals.

On the other side of the court, all eyes were on Tomic. It was a pitiful performance at times, not looking like he was even trying at times. After winning the first game, Tomic lost 12 games in a row while not even creating a break point. There is a rule in tennis that you must be trying your best at all times, and evidently at the end of the first set Tomic was not.

If the match had wrapped up five minutes earlier, Tomic would have gone from the fastest winner to the fastest loser in what could have been a fascinating twist.

It was his 16th ATP loss under 50 minutes, a sorry stat for a player who once had so much potential. He will continue to plough on, trying to find his old self while undoubtably continue to make the headlines one way or another.