Bernard Tomic urged to apologise for 'retard' comment

29 June 2016 08:23

Australian Bernard Tomic has been criticised over his use of the word "retard" during a Wimbledon press conference.

The 23-year-old was responding to a question about being made to wait on court for his opponent, Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.

Learning disability charity Mencap has now called for the world number 19 to apologise.

In a post-match conference, he was asked: "Tennis etiquette requires that both players arrive on court at the same time. You were kept waiting about eight minutes. Any idea why?"

Tomic replied: "Yeah, well, I think because he was up in the locker getting something taped on as when I left and I thought he was leaving, so I just happened to walk out.

"Yeah, I did get to the court prior to him very early, and unfortunately I had to stand on court like a retard."

Ciara Lawrence, who has a learning disability and is a campaigns support officer at Mencap, branded the Australian's language "damaging and offensive".

She said: "I'd like the player to apologise and would encourage him to meet people with a learning disability so he can understand why the word is so damaging and offensive.

"Time and time again I hear this word used as if it has no effect. People clearly don't understand how upsetting and offensive this is to people with a learning disability like me.

"I am sick and tired of people in high-profile positions who are respected by the public using this word. It can make the public and people who look up to sports stars think it is okay to use words like this when it's not.

"It makes people with a learning disability seen not as people but as second-class citizens, and is no different to discriminating against someone who is gay or black."

Source: PA