Bernard Tomic was struck with some bad and bizarre luck in his Chicago Challenger opener as the four-time ATP champion stumbled on a match point and ended up retiring from the match.
After taking a very tight opener against world No. 424 Stefan Dostanic, the Australian led 5-4 in the second set and clinched a match point on the American's serve. The former world No. 17 managed to return serve but thenunfortunately tripped himself - fell to the court - and lost the point.
While Tomic earned himself another match point, he didn't manage to convert. And after Dostanic went on to win the second set via a tie-break and also open a 2-0 third-set lead, the 32-year-old Australian called it a day to an injury.
It is an unfortunate setback for Tomic after a big week in Lexington
Just before coming to Chicago, Tomic made his first Challenger final of the year in Lexington before losing to Zachary Svajda. While the Australian lost the match, he ensured gaining 27 spots and a return to the top-200.
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Since the rankings haven't yet been updated due to the ongoing Toronto Masters, the four-time ATP champion still sits at No. 211 but he will be ranked inside the top-185 on Monday.
"Without tennis, I dont know what I would do. Im sitting about 200 in the world, or whatever, and my goal is to be top 100 and and then I can retire. Its more of a statement, that sort of thing, so lets see if I can do it. Its the only thing Im good at. Ive been good at it for almost three decades, so it gets me going. I can still play decent. Im not in my prime like I was but thats why Im challenging myself to get back there one more time. And then (I can) retire happy (and) guilt-free," Tomic said in June.
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After a great Lexington run, the 32-year-old certainly hoped to continue his fine form in Lexington. Unfortunately for him, it didn't happen and now he has to hope that his injury isn't anything too serious.
