Australian Open diary: Bernard Tomic slams match scheduling

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  • Bernard Tomic looks on in his fourth round match against Tomas Berdych.

    Match scheduling has been a hot topic here at Melbourne Park over the last seven days as organisers continued to exile the likes of home favourites Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic from the main stadium – Rod Laver Arena – for the first four rounds.

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    The main stadium typically features the top seeds, former champions and home players, all which thousands of people would be happy to pay money to see.

    What’s staggering is that someone like Kyrgios has already proven to be a threat at majors having made the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, while Tomic – also a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist – faced No7 seed Tomas Berdych in the fourth round yesterday, and had an all-Australian showdown with Sam Groth the round before.

    What exactly must these guys do to warrant an appearance on Rod Laver Arena?

    Tomic played two matches on Hisense Arena and two on Margaret Court while Kyrgios was scheduled on Margaret Court twice, Show Court 3 and Hisense.

    While Kyrgios has repeatedly said he doesn’t care where he’s been scheduled to play, “I’d sign up for Court 20” were his words, Tomic spoke out following his defeat to Berdych on Sunday.

    Tomic has branded the first week's match scheduling as "ridiculous" following his loss to Tomas Berdych.

    “I spoke to a few people about it. Lleyton (Hewitt) as well. I think the scheduling was like ridiculous this year. Like not just from my side, but for many players. I don't know who was in charge of the schedule. Really, some of the matches I saw, it was just like ‘wow’,” said Tomic.

    On of those matches Tomic could be referring to was the blockbuster second round between Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki – two ex-world No1s, one of which is a two-time Australian Open champion – yet somehow they ended up playing on Margaret Court.

    “I didn't mind, but some of the other matches I saw I was like ‘what the hell?’" added Tomic.

    “You'll have to ask Craig Tiley. That's the guy organising everything.  Apparently he's the best.

    “He's a good guy. From what I heard in the locker room, and not just myself, like the scheduling was a bit funny.

    “I'm not going to complain from my side, but on behalf of the people I talked to, they say it as well. It's not just me saying it. You guys have seen, as well. If I would have run the schedule, I would have made it interesting.”

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