Tomic's career slumped to a new low on Sunday, the former world number 17 – ranked 142 and set to slide further – stunned by unheralded Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 in the final round of Australian Open qualifying at Melbourne Park.

The 25 year-old, who has reached the fourth round of the slam on three occasions while he advanced to the quarter-finals of Wimbledon in 2011, will now watch from afar with his career at a cross-road, though he was unfazed post-match.

"I just count money, that's all I do. I count my millions," Tomic told reporters in Melbourne. "You go do what I did [on court]. Bye bye."

It is not the first time Tomic – once considered a rising star for Australia – has made reference to his finances and earnings.

In 2016, Tomic infamously said "would you care if you were 23 and worth over $10million?" following his controversial loss to Fabio Fogini at the Madrid Open.

Tomic ended the match by holding the head of his racquet as Fognini closed out the victory with an ace amid accusations of tanking.