Tomic fever, from Down Under

Tomic in the 2012 Australian Open.

In a recent interview, Rafael Nadal said that the game was getting faster than ever.

The balls are flying quicker off the rackets which are designed to impart more spin and power.

Nadal himself makes an excellent example to his claims. And with the likes of Djokovic, Tsonga, Soderling, Del Potro, Fish and Berdych filling the upper ranks, the factor of power seems to be the key to top flight tennis.

That is why, Bernard Tomic comes as a refreshing change.

Born in Stuttgart, Germany to parents of Croatian background, Tomic shifted to Australia when he was three. He first made headlines when he became the youngest ever male winner in the main draw at the Australian Open, in 2009 at the age of 17, as a wild card.

His playing style is certainly unorthodox and the two most striking aspects of his game are his forehand and his footwork.

He hardly takes a swing behind his forehand, despite which it is generally effective.

His footwork is, to say the least, minimal. Unlike most players who take several strides to work their way into a position from which to unravel the shot, Tomic simply takes a couple of steps in the direction of the ball before using his giant wingspan and the above mentioned forehand (or backhand, which seems to be more or less orthodox) to make his shot.

His movement about the court is not as busy and fast as Nadal’s or Djokovic’s. Nor is it as immaculate as Federer’s. It is lazy and laid-back, almost clumsy.

But the bigger picture is not at all ugly. In fact, to watch Tomic play is almost mesmerizing. You are absolutely captivated by his shots, drop shots (some of them played from well behind the baseline), slices and the squash-like defensive retrieve. He has the ability to change the pace of the rally.

An ability that was on display in his 2nd Round match of the 2012 Australian Open against the American, Sam Querrey (an excellent server with a strong forehand).

He has already displayed moments of brilliance against the current top three in the last year.

Against Djokovic in Wimbledon, where he reached the quarters and took a set off him. Against Rafa in Melbourne, where he spanked his way around for a greater part of the second set to force his opponent to raise his game. And against Federer in Davis Cup, in Sydney, he took a set off in the fourth rubber. He lost that match but he did give Australia hope when he defeated Stanislas Wawrinka in the opening rubber.

His run in the Australian Open, one which was only curtailed by a master-class from Roger Federer, displayed his readiness for the big league. With a little more time and maturity, he could well be the next Grand Slam champion from Australia and indeed, a potential World No. 1.