Tennis greats have pulled no punches assessing Bernard Tomic’s Wimbledon performance, with the Australian criticised for being ‘disrespectful’, ‘an embarrassment’ and ‘a disgrace’ following his first-round exit.

German Mischa Zverev – ranked 29 places above the 24-year-old Tomic – coasted to a 6-4 6-3 6-4 win against the Aussie in just 84 minutes on Tuesday (local time).

But it was Tomic’s post-match comments that really infuriated the tennis world, with the likes of Martina Navratilova, Pat Cash and Rennae Stubbs all voicing their anger.

In an explosive post-match press conference, Tomic admitted, among other things, winning “doesn’t satisfy me anymore”, that he doesn’t “respect it [tennis] enough” and that he “felt a little bit bored” during his defeat.

The comments sparked outrage, with 18-time singles Grand Slam winner Navratilova telling the BBC that Tomic’s attitude was incredibly “disrespectful”.

“It’s disrespectful to the sport, it’s disrespectful to the history of the sport,” she said.

“If you can’t get motivated at Wimbledon, it’s time to find another job.

“Most of all, the spectators … some of these people probably work in a factory.

“They pay good money to come here and watch Wimbledon and the guy shows up and doesn’t really try and can’t even be bothered. Just stay home.”

If you can’t get motivated at Wimbledon, it’s time to find another job.

Aussie Stubbs echoed Navratilova’s comments and said that Tomic had let down his country.

“To say the things that he said in the press conference is a disgrace, not only to tennis, but to Australian tennis,” she said on the BBC.

“If you’re bored and you are not physically there because you don’t train – let’s be honest, you’re not fit enough, you don’t feel like going five sets – don’t play.

“You’re an embarrassment to yourself and not only the sport, but Australian tennis.

“We have such a long, beautiful history at this event and we have players who try so hard who have half the ability of Bernard Tomic that would give so much to be out there to play that match today.”

Pat Cash, who won Wimbledon in 1987, added: “A lot of us ex-Aussies [players] are cringing.”

Tomic also said that he “couldn’t care less if I make a fourth-round US Open or I lose first round,” referring to the only grand slam remaining for him in 2017.

“To me, everything is the same,” he added.

“I’m going to play another 10 years, and I know after my career I won’t have to work again.”