Teen Tomic has embarrassed Nadal, says Laver
By ANIMonday, January 24, 2011
LOS ANGELES/MELBOURNE - Former Australian tennis greats Rod Laver and Roy Emerson have praised 18-year-old Bernard Tomic for pushing World Number One Rafael Nadal during their third-round clash.
Two-time junior grand slam champion Tomic pushed Nadal over three sets at the Australian Open on Saturday night, even going to a 4-0 lead in the second set.
The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Laver, who was attending the G’Day USA Ball in Los Angeles, as saying: “At 18, he’s really showing a lot of class. I watched him play Nadal and he showed some good form all the way through. He wasn’t embarrassed playing Nadal and I think Nadal was a little embarrassed with what Tomic had done to him.”
Emerson said the world No. 199 had the potential to be among the top players on the tour.
“Nadal seemed to be a little worried particularly in the second set with the change of pace that young Bernard was doing and it was upsetting the rhythm of Nadal,” Emerson said.
“I think he has a great future and if he keeps in shape, I can’t see why he can’t get in the top 10 in a couple of years.” (ANI)
