Controversial Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic has admitted he is just playing for the money and declared he has no love for the game that has earned him millions.
In a revealing interview, Tomic even told his fans to stay at home rather than paying to watch him play if they were opposed to his infamous on-court antics.
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Bernard Tomic: 'It's a grind. I'm trapped'
The tennis player declares he's only playing tennis for the money in an interview on Channel Seven's Sunday Night.
"Don't come," Tomic told Sunday Night host Melissa Doyle. "Just watch on TV, you don't have to pay anything."
Tomic provided a frank assessment of his career to date, saying he oscillates between full commitment and apathy.
![All in a day's work: Tomic said he wouldn't have pursued tennis had his time over.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170726171912im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/v/u/g/f/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gxh3wa.png/1500843248979.jpg)
"Throughout my career I've given 100 per cent. I've given also 30 per cent. But if you balance it out, I think all my career's been around 50 per cent," Tomic said.
He even gave himself a self-congratulatory pat on the back, declaring his achievements "amazing" in light of his efforts.
"I haven't really tried, and [still] achieved all this. So it's just amazing what I've done," he said.
Asked to provide advice to his 14-year-old self, the enigmatic Tomic was brutally honest.
![Bad boy: Bernard Tomic is pulled over by police.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170726171912im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/4/y/7/r/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gxh3wa.png/1500843248979.jpg)
"Don't play tennis. Do something you love and enjoy, because it's a grind, and it's a tough, tough, tough life. My position, I'm trapped. I have to do it.
"Tennis chose me," Tomic said. "It's something I never fell in love with. You know, I like it. It's kind of like saying, 'I like a girl - I don't love her, but I like her'."
![Bernard Tomic bombed out in the first round at Wimbledon this year.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170726171912im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/4/o/z/i/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gxh3wa.png/1500885142233.jpg)
Tomic also stood by his inflammatory comments after being eliminated in a listless first-round performance at Wimbledon.
"I don't know why, but I felt a little bit bored out there to be completely honest with you," Tomic said after his straight sets loss to Mischa Zverev.
After being fined $20,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct following the remarks, Tomic hit out at his critics.
"End of the day, don't like me or whatever. Just go back dreaming about your dream car or house while I go buy them," he said.
Given the opportunity to reflect on those comments, a defiant Tomic stood by them.
"I don't regret what I said."
Admitting that it riled many people who interpreted it as arrogance, Tomic fired back.
"That's why I said it - to piss a few people off," Tomic said.
"I didn't come from a rich family. We had no money," Tomic said. "And now ... living in all these lavish houses and property around the world, it's my choice. It's something that I've worked for."
An honest and open Tomic also revealed he was yet to find happiness.
"Not many things can make me super happy," Tomic said. "I don't like to get super happy about anything.
"If I ever get the chance to win a Grand Slam, maybe only then I can truly feel the feeling of being really, really happy."
But in a frustrating sign for tennis fans, Tomic declared there is no chance he will fall in love with the sport.
"No, no. I'm just going to go about it as a job," he said.
However, he did provide a glimmer of hope to those wondering whether he still had the drive to win.
"Maybe I can light it up and win a Grand Slam or two, so we'll have to find out. Only time can tell."