Tennis fans are fuming after Bernard Tomic's lackluster performance against Cam Norrie at the Mifel Tennis Open in Los Cabos. The Australian, ranked 171st, was ousted in just 50 minutes, losing 6-1, 6-0, in a display that many are calling disgraceful and disrespectful to the sport.
Tomic had earlier shocked the tennis world by upsetting Karen Khachanov in straight sets, leading some to believe he might finally be turning his career around. But any hope of a resurgence quickly evaporated as Norrie dismantled him with ease, leaving fans and commentators questioning Tomic's commitment to the game.
One particular service game in the first set has gone viral on social media, showing Tomic seemingly going through the motions, with no visible effort to compete. The footage has sparked a wave of criticism, with fans calling for the ATP to take action.
"Should get a ban for this," one fan tweeted. Another wrote, "That was one of the worst or suspicious matches I’ve ever witnessed. Need more regulation on gambling." A third added, "Such a clown, there should be a rule that the empire could just eject them from the court with this kind of attitude. Waste of time of the other player, crowd, umpire, ball kids, etc."
The match has also drawn comparisons to other controversial moments in tennis, such as the recent allegations of faking an injury that dogged Paula Badosa. While Badosa's case was about a quick comeback, Tomic's issue is the opposite—a blatant lack of effort that many believe should be punished.
Norrie, who played a solid match, was diplomatic in his post-match comments. "I'm pleased with the result. I was very solid, I returned well, I made a lot of tough balls when I needed to, and I kept him moving," he said. "I enjoyed the match, and it's nice to go to bed a little bit earlier."
Tomic, a former top-20 player and four-time ATP Tour champion, hasn't won a title since 2018. His career has been marred by inconsistency and controversy, and this latest episode has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of professionalism on the tour. Some fans are even suggesting that the ATP should consider fines or suspensions for players who don't give their best effort.
"I'll be honest, at some point you have to throw out fines for this," one fan declared. The tennis community is now waiting to see if the ATP will take any disciplinary action against Tomic, but as of now, there has been no official response from the tour or from Tomic himself.
This incident also highlights the broader issue of player conduct in tennis, which has been a topic of debate for years. While some argue that players should have the freedom to manage their own performance, others believe that the integrity of the sport is at stake when matches become one-sided due to a lack of effort.
For now, Tomic's future in the sport remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: his performance in Los Cabos has left a sour taste in the mouths of many tennis fans, and the calls for a ban are only growing louder.
