Mercury (Hobart)

Scope on Skype for Tomic-Hewitt peace

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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 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.”

Hewitt fended off the tirade, saying it was “Bernie being Bernie”.

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