Wimbledon row: Bernard Tomic fined for controversial strategy before loss

Australia's Bernard Tomic reacts against Germany's Mischa Zverev at Wimbledon in London yesterday. Pic/AFP

Australian firebrand Bernard Tomic risks being stripped of a chunk of his Wimbledon earnings after taking an injury time-out for strategic reasons during a feeble first-round defeat yesterday.

After losing 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to German Mischa Zverev, former teenage prodigy Tomic said he became bored early in the contest, and hinted his career was now only motivated by money.

He rejected suggestions he should give back the £35,000 he collects as a first-round loser, but might have talked his way into trouble.

Tomic called for the trainer when trailing by a set and a break, but at a later press conference appeared to admit there was nothing physically wrong with him.

"I just thought I'd try to break a bit of momentum, to use that as my strategy, because I was just playing very bad and feeling bad out there," he said.

"I tried to use something different maybe, you know, slow him down a bit on the serve. He was playing quick and we were all playing quick and he was serving well." It is understood the referee's office is likely to examine Tomic's comments, and that he could be fined over his admission.

The 24-year-old added: "I wasn't mentally and physically there with my mental state to perform. I don't know why but I felt a little bit bored out there, to be completely honest with you."
-PA Sport