Tomic offers to end feud on net
BERNARD Tomic is willing to take part in peace talks to end Australia’s tennis civil war — with a catch.
On the Gold Coast preparing for US tournaments after the Australian Open, Tomic (pictured) said he was prepared to thrash out his differences with Lleyton Hewitt. But not in person. Responding to Tennis Australia’s performance director Wally Masur’s suggestions the pair’s ugly spat could be resolved across a table, Tomic said: “Yeah, (but) I’m on the Gold Coast.” Asked if he would participate, he said: “Yeah, on Skype.”
Masur, who enjoyed a healthy working relationship as Davis Cup captain, wants the feud resolved.
“What I want to get away from is the public tennis game between Bernie and Lleyton being played out in the media,” Masur said.
“I’d rather those guys got in a room and they sort it out privately … and I think there’s a chance. The tournament is in full swing. I wouldn’t say it’s on both of their agendas at the moment but it would be something I am keen to explore.”
Tomic laid bare his contempt for former ally Hewitt after a first-round Australian Open defeat to Marin Cilic.
Claiming the former world No. 1 was divisive and selfish, Tomic intensified his attacks by taunting Hewitt “to come one metre from me if he is a man”.
Tomic continues to stand by claims Hewitt has “ruined the system”, marginalising Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis. “No one likes him anymore,” Tomic said.
“He’s just doing the wrong thing. He’s playing Davis Cup — I thought he was retired.”
Hewitt fended off the tirade, saying it was “Bernie being Bernie and losing and going on and complaining”.
Masur pointed to Hewitt and Tomic’s previously good relationship.
“And these guys have quite a past,” he said. “Maybe there’s a sense of frustration from Lleyton that Bernie hasn’t maximised his potential.”
Tomic described Hewitt as a “fake person” driven by self interest.
He claimed Kokkinakis and Kyrgios are unwilling to play under Hewitt in the current environment.
Kokkinakis said he was disappointed to be overlooked for a wildcard in preference on Hewitt’s orders to lowerranked Alex Bolt and Alexei Popyrin — both of whom won their first rounds.
Marc Polmans also was preferred to Kokkinakis, who would not comment on Tomic’s claims.
Kyrgios was also guarded on his Davis Cup future because of injury and form.
However, he said he is available for selection.