He was young. We were cautious. But it was written in the fates. If only because the old flame was fading and there was no-one else. How we hate to be alone.
We have been through too much to declare it the start of a beautiful friendship.
Sometimes we've been bound reluctantly, even in spite of ourselves in destructive partnerships that divide our soul and conflict our loyalties. Think of our devotion for Rafter against the peculiar attraction/repulsion of Hewitt.
It's too soon to say exactly how this will pan out. The spark of early promise has had us on familiar terms for years. Meeting the father though caused more than a moment's reluctance.
But in the second week of the most storied tennis tournament on the calendar it can truly be said Bernard Tomic and the Australian sporting public are now wed.
This was true on Sunday morning when most woke to discover the 18-year-old prodigy had trounced World Number 5 Robin Soderling, the man who'd somewhat cruelly cut down Lleyton barely 48 hours prior.
It wasn't an appointment match over which to lose sleep. It was hardly likely a qualifier was going to upset the natural order so dramatically. It was, therefore, a delightful surprise.
As full comprehension set in and the demolition of a first set spanning only 17 minutes was recounted it was quite clear this was the moment of pronouncement.
Suddenly the pre-emptive stories cautioning further patience were futile. Tomic's sporting adolescence was disposed of as briskly as his Swedish opponent.
That it happened at Wimbledon made the occasion all the more significant.
Monday night served to consummate what was begun. Tomic was drawn to play grizzled Belgium veteran Xavier Malisse.
As happens in the intensity of such attractions we went from a cursory interest to believing Tomic would win. He must win. There was no room for past form and empirical measurements.
While the All England Club hardly considered it a barnburner, a nation turned its lonely eyes to the obscurity of Court 18.
Captured as if by a CCTV camera we peered in and found precisely what was desired, even if tracking the ball proved optically challenging.
Tomic is pleasing to the eye for he is all court craft. Simply put, he plays tennis. He doesn't rely on blunt force nor is he trying to spin the ball into the third row. He is something different.
He's purposeful and selective through his repertoire to match what the moment requires. His choices are extensive.
Physically he's a contradiction. He seems at once graceful and gangly. But at this tournament it's clear he's more than the dinky, awkward opponent he has presented as previously.
He can peel off winners from the backcourt. He can come to the net and lunge at a winning volley. He'll lob if the opportunity arises. His serve can buy him points.
He looks, for the first time, fully armed.
Beyond this Tomic is calm. It was Malisse who blew his stack and allowed his temper to fuel his game. His teenage opponent recognised the petulance for what it was, blunted what he could, absorbed the streaky damage without becoming rattled and waited for the rage to subside. The third set was all maturity and poise.
With a minimum of fuss and maximum efficiency Tomic advanced. No-one lost any sleep. Literally.
But best of all Tomic is coming across as humble and likable.
Two years ago his misstep at Melbourne Park was to complain about a post-midnight finishing time to a prime encounter. He was likely parroting those close to him. It wasn't endearing. The pity was had he not complained the public would likely have railed on his behalf against an ill-judged piece of scheduling.
Given his father and coach, John, had a history of abusing officials and marching his son out of matches he didn't like the look of, it sent a tremor through the tennis community that the next great hope was an enfant terrible.
For now, Tomic himself presents as anything but.
Which brings us to tonight. Main event sport. The hottest player of the year has been Novak Djokovic. Tomic is the youngest man since Boris Becker to reach the Quarter Finals in London.
He dreams of the romance of Wimbledon and many an Australian will gladly sacrifice their sleep to share the endeavour. Both tonight and for many years to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment