American commentator Mike Cation believes Bernard Tomic is a "throwback" who has been left behind in a sport constantly evolving.
The former world No.17 and Wimbledon quarter-finalist reached the final of the Fairfield Challenger in the States on Monday, only to lose 6-0 6-1 against up-and-coming talent Learner Tien.
Tomic reached the Calgary Challenger quarter-finals in Canada earlier today, pushing him into the top-200 and increasing his chances of appearing in the 2025 Australian Open qualifiers.
Tennis broadcaster Cation caught up with Brett Phillips during the latest edition of SEN's The First Serve radio show to provide his thoughts on Tomic's showing in the final.
"It was record-breaking. 39 minutes and seven seconds is a record by four minutes at the Challenger level for a completed final," Cation told The First Serve.
"I found myself thinking the only way Bernie is going to be able to come through this match is if we get to 3-3 and on serve, something like that.
"I had this gut feeling from having watched him over the past year and a half that if the break came early, it was going to be relatively quick, but not that quick."
Although there is a bitter taste in the mouths of some Aussie tennis fans given Tomic's past, that hasn't translated in other parts of the world.
"It's interesting because for us [Americans] Bernie isn't much of a big deal," Cation said. "I think the players really like him and maybe because there's no pretence anymore at a higher level that often comes along.
"He's pretty well-liked and well-respected. There has been more commitment [from Tomic] just to play through matches; play through weeks.
"It's been a long time for him to string together wins over a whole week [and] that's the biggest question I have [which is] the conditioning. There's definitely more of a mental commitment, but the problem is when he gets to [the latter stages of tournaments].
"He's been to [nine] quarter-finals this year which is a really good number. He has to get to that point where he can play longer into the week because when he's committed, he's still very good."
This year, despite winning the most matches in a calendar year (47) since he arrived on tour in 2008, Tomic has retired in 10 matches throughout 2024.
Is he capable of making one last crack at a top-100 berth?
"It's so tough because I think his level is very appropriate for where he is in terms of his tennis. I think 200 is exactly where he should be. This is where he is," said Cation.
"He will never get that burst of speed and the game continues to evolve. There is so much power right now [and] he is the throwback at 31.
"He provides entertainment value with the tennis, constantly talking to people in the crowd, talking to his girlfriend; he is a welcomed experience at this Challenger level.
"I don't know if that will translate as well [on the main tour]. It looks like he will play in qualies in Melbourne which is amazing, but at a Challenger, he makes it enjoyable and I don't think that can be overlooked."
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