Australia tennis coach and commentator Roger Rasheed blasted young Aussie tennis brat Bernard Tomic on Thursday, questioning the 23-year-old's passion for the game.
“To be honest, I would beat Brian Baker. He has had that many injuries, he’s ranked 600-and-something in the world,” Rasheed said on 2KY radio’s Big Sports Breakfast.
“He couldn’t hit two balls on the court. It’s not about that, it’s about what I turn up and look like.
“I don’t care whether you like clay, I don’t care whether it’s played on ice or a bed of nails.
“When you turn up to a grand slam or any professional event, you have to show that when you step on the court that you have to have a persona that shows Âpassion, that shows hunger and that shows commitment to a sport that you supposedly love.
“When I’m looking at that and I’m watching the game, I want to turn it off and just watch a movie. It gives you a sense of boredom. There’s no electricity of the body.
“There’s so many athletes out there that often that’s what we see and it does my head in. If you don’t like it that much, leave the sport. Show some passion.”
After Tomic's exit from the French Open on Thursday evening Australian time, the youngster returned serve.
Tomic questioned Rasheed's knowledge of the sport and ability to coach.
“You don’t say that about someone — the guy (Baker) has been to a third or fourth round here, fourth round at Wimbledon, finals of Nice.
“You can’t say that about that sort of player. He’s beaten Gael (Monfils) on clay and a lot of good players.
“For him (Rasheed) to say that comment, just shows you how much education he has.”
Tomic was beaten young Croatian Borna Coric, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6, 7-6.