Bernard Tomic thrown out of stands during Santo Domingo Challenger final for heckling runner-up Andres Andrade after losing to Ecuadorian in QF

Former Australian star Bernard Tomic was again involved in controversy, this time at the Santo Domingo Challenger, where he was removed from the stands during the final. Tomic was not playing in the title contest after losing to one of the finalists in an earlier stage.

Tomic has been competing at the Challenger level of ATP tennis over the last few years to regain his confidence and ranking. The World No. 250 recently played at the Santo Domingo Challenger in the Dominican Republic and defeated eighth seed Nick Hardt, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, and Jay Clarke, 7-6 (5), 6-3, before losing to a lucky loser from Ecuador Andres Andrade in the quarterfinals 6-2, 6-2.

Tomic was displeased with his loss and did not shake hands with Andrade after the contest. Moreover, instead of heading home to rest and recover, he stayed in Santo Domingo. He returned to the venue for the final between Andrade and third seed Damir Dzumhur on Sunday, August 18.

Tomic was seen moving from corner to corner, following and heckling Andrade throughout the match. His repeated interventions became too apparent for the officials not to notice. In a clip widely shared on social media, the former World No. 17 is seen arguing with a tournament official before being asked to leave the venue during the second set.

The crowd cheered the official's decision and jeered Tomic as he was leaving the courtside. Andres Andrade lost the match to Damir Dzumhur 6-4, 6-4.

You can watch the video of the incident below:

Bernard Tomic quits mid-match at the Challenger tournament after getting into an argument with his girlfriend

Bernard Tomic

Bernard Tomic has always been at the center of controversy throughout his tennis career. Even during his peak around eight years ago, the Australian was constantly butting heads with his opponents and staying in the news for his bizarre behavior. Even though he is now past his prime and trying to rejuvenate his career, Tomic has managed to keep himself relevant with his antics on the court.

Before his unceremonious removal from the Santo Domingo Challenger, the 31-year-old made the news after retiring mid-match during his campaign at the Little Rock Challenger in the USA in May. Tomic, the fifth seed, was facing Yuta Shimizu in the second round on May 31.

After losing the first set to the Japanese 6-1, Tomic, who looked uninterested throughout the match, retired, citing illness. However, during the changeover after the first set, he was seen in an intense argument with his girlfriend Keely Hannah, who was sitting in the stands, about his illness.

Bernard Tomic looked uninterested in competing and after losing the first set to Shimizu 6-1, engaged in a heated argument with his girlfriend, Keely Hannah. Tomic had been feeling unwell during the match and clashed with Hannah over the reason for his illness.

The Australian told the doctors, who had come to court to assess him, that his girlfriend had tested positive for Covid-19 that morning. According to commentators, Hannah corrected Tomic, saying she had tested positive two weeks ago, not this morning. After the argument, Hannah, seemingly agitated, left the stands, and five points into the second set, Tomic retired from the contest.