Bernard Tomic's ATP tour career under threat after slide in world rankings

Bernard Tomic's desire to earn a lifetime of income from the elite ATP tour faces a major setback if his latest fall in world rankings forces him to regularly qualify for tournaments.

The Australian has dropped to 95th from a career high of 17 after a series of first-round exits and poor performances this season.

Tomic will be forced through the qualification process for US Open lead-up event the Winston-Salem Open should he choose to compete.

The 24-year-old will have to play two qualification matches for the North Carolina tournament before contesting the main draw.

But he is expected to play in the main draw of the US Open, which begins on August 28.

Tomic has confessed to only playing the game for money. He also claimed he put in little effort and faked an injury during his first-round elimination at Wimbledon in July.

"I'm going to play another 10 years and I know after my career I won't have to work again," he said on July 5.

He described himself as being bored on court and no longer caring how he performed at grand slam tournaments.

Tomic started the 2017 as the world No.26.