BOY WHO CRIED WOLF: Bernard Tomic has been called the bad boy of Australian tennis and mocked by local media as "Tomic the Tank Engine." He got a new nickname Wednesday: The Boy Who Cried Wolf.
Tomic felt compelled to call a news conference to prove that he really was too injured to finish his first-round match a day earlier against No. 1 Rafael Nadal.
When Tomic retired Tuesday after losing the first set 6-4, the crowd booed loudly. Australian commentators cast doubt on Tomic's claim of a groin injury at his post-match news conference. Some recalled accusations at the 2012 U.S. Open that he "tanked," or deliberately lost a match against Andy Roddick.
"I think I was misunderstood," the 21-year-old said Wednesday. This time he brought a doctor for back-up.
"Had the scan this morning, which confirmed that obviously I was right," said Tomic. He described the injury as a small tear in his groin.
The doctor, Martin Clark, specified it was an adductor longus tear, which should heal in one to three weeks.
"Had he played on, it could have been a three- to four-month injury," said Clark. "The scan is entirely consistent with his symptoms yesterday and completely vindicate his coming off."
Former Australian player, coach and now television commentator Darren Cahill said the crowd's reaction Tuesday was a sign of built-up frustration over Tomic.
"It's a little bit like the boy who cried wolf," Cahill said on ESPN.
