Bernard Tomic forfeits final at Challenger event in hopes of qualifying for 2025 US Open main draw

With the qualifying rounds of the 2025 US Open set to begin this week, Australian tennis star Bernard Tomic made a drastic decision in order to boost his hopes of earning a main draw berth at the final Grand Slam of the season.

The former World No.17 has seemingly rediscovered his love for tennis, after taking an extended absence from the sport. Once touted as a possible star on the ATP Tour, Tomic experienced a d ip in form that saw him eventually lose interest in his profession.

However, Tomic is undergoing a resurgence of sorts. The 32-year old returned to competing on the ATP Challenger Tour during the past year, and has reached two finals on the circuit in recent months, finishing runner-up at the Lexington Challenger Tour event earlier in July.

Tomic would compete at last week's Challenger Tour Event in Barranquilla, Colombia. The Aussie star, playing as the third seed, would battle past the competition to reach the final.

Inclement conditions cause the final to be rescheduled

Heavy rainfall in Barranquilla in the past week saw organizers postpone Tomic’s final against British star, Arthur Fery by 24 hours. However, Tomic is scheduled to compete in his first round qualifying match against American Patrick Kypson on Tuesday.

In order to further his chances of competing at Flushing Meadows, Tomic opted to withdraw from the final in Barranquilla. The four-time ATP titlist was forced to leave Colombia ahead of Saturday's final, jetting north-east to New York in order to make it in time for his match on Tuesday.

Tomic's last appearance at a Grand Slam event was at the 2021 Australian Open. The Australian did not enter any qualifying events for Grand Slams in 2023 and 2024. He would return at this year's Australian Open qualifiers, where he was knocked out in the first round by Slovakian player Jozef Kovalik.