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“I love it. What an effort for Bernie to get back,” Millman told this masthead.
“Obviously, he’s not the player he once was. I mean, he was top 20 in the world, so he’s not at that level, but to go out there and go through the Futures and Challengers the way he has [was a big effort]. These are really unglamorous tournaments, and I think the general public doesn’t really realise that.
“Unless you live and breathe tennis, you don’t know what they’re like, those Futures and Challengers – it’s a tough tour, you’re not getting paid that much, and you can be going to some far-out places.”
Tomic (right) and former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt have a complicated relationship.Credit: Getty Images
Tomic’s most-recent grand slam appearance was a 6-1, 6-4 defeat to Russia’s Roman Safiullin in the first round of Australian Open qualifying in 2022. During that match, he audibly claimed he had COVID-19 and there was insufficient testing of players.
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Tomic was vindicated when he tested positive for the virus post-match.
The last time he made the main draw in a grand slam was a year earlier, when he qualified at Melbourne Park and reached the second round before losing to Canadian Denis Shapovalov in straight sets.
Millman said Tomic had been a bit misunderstood across the years.
“I think it’s probably been a little bit of a tougher upbringing for Bernie than what I had it,” he said.
“I was in maybe a slightly more supportive environment growing up, so I think at times, he’s had to do it pretty tough – and he’s managed to come out the other side of that. I’ve got a lot of time for Bernie, and I think that he made it very young, too.
“I’m not comparing Lleyton and Bernie here whatsoever, but I also remember when people maybe harshly judged Lleyton when he cracked onto the scene.
Tomic with his father and former coach, John.Credit: Getty Images
“You’ve got to remember, he was doing that at 18, 19. I was a lot different at 18 and 19 [than I am now]. I was a very different person, you mature – and I think Bernie has matured, too.”
Nick Kyrgios will also return from two injury-ruined years at next month’s Australian Open.
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However, a source familiar with the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told this masthead the 29-year-old was set to use his protected ranking, which injured players can apply for when they miss an extended period, rather than receive a wildcard.
An ATP spokesperson confirmed Kyrgios’ protected ranking was No.21. Tennis Australia was contacted for comment.
Swiss great and 2014 Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka, who turns 40 in March, is poised to score a wildcard, but Japan’s Kei Nishikori – a four-time quarter-finalist in Melbourne – will not.
High-profile wildcard recipients, such as Venus Williams (dual runner-up) and Caroline Wozniacki (2018 champion), typically must have made a final to be in contention. Tournament boss Craig Tiley makes the call on those wildcards.
Assuming world No.105 Max Purcell sneaks into the main draw as a direct entrant, fellow Australians Alex Bolt, Tristan Schoolkate, Li Tu, Omar Jasika and James McCabe appear to be jostling for four men’s wildcards.
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