Bernard Tomic breaks his silence and makes a shocking revelation about a video of him being brutally beaten by two thugs outside a Gold Coast tattoo parlor
- Disturbing images show a tennis star being attacked by two men
- Tomic defends himself against a barrage of kicks and punches
- Star has spoken out about the video for the first time
Tennis star Bernard Tomic has revealed a striking detail about the disturbing video of him being punched by two men, as he first opened up about the footage after it went viral on social media.
The 16-second clip shows the 30-year-old lying on his back trying to protect his face as the attackers stand over him and deliver a series of kicks and punches, with one of the men trying to get him up to tow.
Tomic, once ranked number 17 in the world, appears cornered and beaten by the men, whose identities remain unknown.
The images were reportedly taken outside a tattoo parlor on the Gold Coast. In it you hear a man tell Tomic to get up, dog.
Tomic first discussed the images in a video he posted to his Instagram account on Saturday evening.
“I’m here in Istanbul, Turkey, flying to the US and yeah, I haven’t been on Instagram in a few months, I thought I’d go ahead and talk about this video that’s been circulating,” he tells his followers.
“It’s so funny because that happened five or six years ago, so I have no idea why this is all happening now.”
In the video, a man is heard telling Tomic – seen in the gray tracksuit – to ‘get up, dog’, before unsuccessfully trying to pull the tennis star up.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Queensland Police for comment.
Tomic was playing in a tournament in Turkey when he broke his silence about the footage.
Tomic (pictured with girlfriend Keely Hannah) claims the video of him being beaten was shot ‘five or six years ago’
He lost to Nick Hardt of the Dominican Republic in three sets and was eliminated in the second round of the Challenger Istanbul event.
The Australian is currently ranked 292nd in the world and is attempting to return to the top of the sport after falling to 825th.
He started his climb back from the worst ranking of his career by winning three tournaments in the last quarter of 2022.
Despite this, he was denied a wildcard entry into the Australian Open earlier this year, missing the tournament for the first time since 2008.
The snub also led to his long-running feud with fellow Australian Nick Krygios reigniting.
The tennis star (pictured at the 2022 Australian Open) said he has ‘no idea’ why the footage has suddenly gone viral on social media
When a Twitter user suggested Tomic deserved a wildcard at Melbourne Park, Kyrgios replied: “Hahahahaha NO HE DOESN’T.”
The couple’s colorful history includes the suggestion that they resolve their differences in a boxing ring, as well as a $1 million (£512,000) ‘winner takes all’ tennis match.
Tomic responded to being rejected for a wildcard at his home Grand Slam tournament by saying he would use the setback as motivation.
‘I don’t expect any favors. “I’m going to prove my point and earn my way,” he said.
“I understand that Tennis Australia has made their decision. It’s good to see that the young tennis players are getting a chance.
‘I’m at a place in my life where I don’t complain anymore. I am focused and have trained hard. I let my tennis speak for itself.’