ATP Tour

Tomic wins biggest title since 2018: 'I'm going to play another 20 years!'

Bernard Tomic put retirement thoughts on hold Sunday when he triumphed at the Lincoln Challenger.

The 33-year-old, who reached a career-high No. 17 in 2016, escaped Mark Lajal 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(3) in a two-hour, 41-minute final to claim his biggest title since winning the Chengdu ATP 250 event in 2018. During the trophy ceremony, the Australian spoke candidly about his recent thoughts of retirement.

“I’ll be as honest as I can, about 10 days ago I hit a bit of a brick wall, maybe two weeks ago. I said this was going to be my last year, so I guess I have to reassess a few things now,” Tomic said, cracking a smile. “Now that I won, I’m going to have to go back to the table. I’m probably going to play another 20 years,” he joked.

Following his title, Tomic is up to No. 170 in the PIF ATP Rankings, his highest mark since last September. The Australian is a four-time Challenger champion. He earned his first Challenger title as a 16-year-old in 2009, becoming the third-youngest player to win a trophy at that level, behind Michael Chang and Richard Gasquet.

Vukic adds to Aussie victories
Tomic was not the only Australian to claim a Challenger crown this past weekend. Aleksandar Vukic won the Championnats Banque Nationale in Granby, Canada, where the top seed overcame 21-year-old Frenchman Arthur Gea 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 in the final. Vukic is a three-time Challenger titlist. His victory in Granby marks his first title since May 2023.

Rodesch celebrates 25th birthday in style
Chris Rodesch completed a perfect birthday week at the Open Ciudad de Pozoblanco in Spain. Having turned 25 years old on Saturday, Rodesch captured the trophy the following day to secure his third Challenger title of the season. The Luxembourger, who won back-to-back titles in Oeiras in January, defeated Ilya Ivashka 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5) in the Pozoblanco final.

Den Ouden, Alcala Gurri also triumph
Dutchman Guy Den Ouden and Spaniard Max Alcala Gurri were among the five Challenger champions. Den Ouden, 24, earned his third Challenger title and first on home soil by winning the Dutch Open Tournament in Bunschoten. Den Ouden beat Tom Gentzsch 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 in the final.

The 23-year-old Alcala Gurri continued his breakthrough season by dropping just one set all week to claim the Serena Wines 1881 - Acqua Maniva Tennis Cup in Cordenons, Italy. Alcala Gurri raced past home hope Federico Bondioli 6-2, 6-0 in the final. Up to a career-high No. 181 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Alcala Gurri also won the Cervia and Royan Challengers this year.