Tomic trounced in record fashion

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 10: Bernard Tomic of Australia plays a forehand in his semi final match against Sergiy Stakhovsky of the Ukraine during day six of the Sydney International at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre on January 10, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 10: Bernard Tomic of Australia plays a forehand in his semi final match against Sergiy Stakhovsky of the Ukraine during day six of the Sydney International at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre on January 10, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Published Mar 21, 2014

Share

Miami – Australian standout Bernard Tomic suffered the fastest defeat in ATP history Thursday, crashing out of the ATP Miami Masters hardcourt event in his first match following January hip surgery.

The world number 74 lost 6-0, 6-1 to Finland's Jarkko Nieminen in a record 28 minutes, 20 seconds Ä the shortest ATP Tour match ever recorded, beating the old mark by a mere minute.

Tomic was unruffled by the defeat, in which he lost the first nine games.

“This was the first match back after the operation. It's all part of the rehabilitation process,” he said. “I'm not disappointed. I just have to keep working to improve my game.”

Tomic was playing for the first time since January 14, when he retired against Spanish world number one Rafael Nadal after losing the first set of his first-round match at the Australian Open.

He underwent surgery a week later, and has been rehabilitating for the past few weeks.

Tomic's quickfire loss was poorly received in Australia.

Social media savaged his performance, with one person tweeting:

“Australian Open fans thought they were short changed when Tomic retired hurt, at least there he was on court for 39 minutes.”

Another tweeted: “Tomic now holds arguably the worst statistic a player could ever want.” – Sapa-AFP

Related Topics: