Monte Carlo, Monaco-Ville, Monaco, 18 April 2017 | AP/AAP

Bernard Tomic’s run of outs has continued into the claycourt season with the Australian suffering a first-round loss at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Taking to his least favourite surface against Argentine claycourt specialist Diego Schwartzman, Tomic was always up against it and went down 6-1 7-6(3).

The Queenslander at least had his moments as the match wore on, serving for the second set and even having a set point.

But the world No.41 broke back and ultimately took the set in a tiebreak to win the match.

It leaves Tomic, who has slipped to No.43 in the world from a high of 17 last year, with five first-round losses in the first four months of the year.

Things could get worse before they get much better for the former Wimbledon quarterfinalist, with Tomic winning just three of 11 matches on clay during the past two years.

His best chance of a rankings boost comes during the grasscourt season where he typically performs well.

Even that could be something of a task this year though, Tomic unlikely to be seeded for Wimbledon where he has points to defend from making the fourth round in 2016.

“It’s an opportunity,” Tomic said.

“I’m 43 in the world so I feel I need to try to win some matches over the next five, six weeks, get back into the top 30 and be a comfortable seeding (for Wimbledon) and be seeded for the grass events.

“That’s where I can do some damage, but my main priority is to win a match.

“The next three, four weeks I have to keep positive and I’ll get a chance.”

Tomic said he felt physically strong and was now set on arriving in good heart for Wimbledon, where last year he was within a couple of points of matching his previous best, a quarter-final appearance in 2011.

“If I play well on clay and get fit for the four, five weeks, it helps so much on grass,” he said.

“I feel so much better on grass. Last year I had a fourth-round chance, lost 10-8 in the fifth, to make quarters again.

“Clay builds you up and gets me ready for the grass, so every match I can win on clay is a plus.”