Emerging junior: Sara Tomic. Photo: AFP
Australia's first and most controversial tennis family - the Tomics - have moved to Melbourne, although the shift from the Gold Coast apparently has less to do with world No. 52 Bernard and more about the development of his sister Sara, an emerging junior.
Parents John and Ady arrived in Melbourne with Sara, 15, more than a month ago, while Monaco-based Bernard finishes his ATP season in Europe. John Tomic confirmed the relocation but not the reasons behind it, although Tennis Australia official Todd Woodbridge said the key factor was the opportunities it provided for Sara, a talented junior Fed Cup representative.
The Tomics, who have been based in Queensland since migrating to Australia from Croatia via Germany in 2006, are believed to be renting a home convenient to Melbourne Park, where it is likely Bernard will complete at least some of his pre-season training when he returns to Australia. After a string of early-round defeats, Bernard is contesting a Challenger event this week in Slovakia.
''It's a significant change in what they've been doing,'' Woodbridge said of the move to Melbourne.
''I think they've made a decision … because it's going to help Sara's tennis. She's certainly world-class talent. Plenty of work to do, lots to do on the game, but strikes the ball well enough to be a very good, quality player.
''Bernard was moulded up on the Gold Coast, but it's tough to become a world-class player if you don't have the people around to hit with, and that's the case, and in the discussions that I've had with John and Ady it is very obvious how much we're able to provide such great service through Melbourne and/or Brisbane, but they've decided that Melbourne is a better hub for where they want to be.
''At present I've been doing some work with Sara on the court, and then the plan is to eventually pass her over to one of our full-time coaches that works within our national academy.''
Woodbridge said the impressive facilities at the National Tennis Centre would also benefit Bernard, the defending Sydney titleholder.
''They'll get in there and really physically train as hard as possible,'' said Woodbridge. ''Like every athlete has to do each year, they've got to top up the tank physically, and just get another level to start the summer of tennis off.''
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