Form and friends rare in Tomic’s world as Cup tie looms
BERNARD Tomic’s Davis Cup exile is unlikely to end before next month’s quarterfinal tie with the US as the Gold Coast star’s form rut deepens in the absence of talks with Lleyton Hewitt.
Tomic opted out of the first-round tie against Czech Republic in February, citing scheduling issues.
That decision frustrated Hewitt, forcing the former world No.1 to bring in Jordan Thompson, a revelation with two wins against the Czechs in an excellent debut.
While he has been close to Tomic for some time, Hewitt was critical in the wake of the Cup snub of Tomic’s father, claiming John Tomic wields too much influence.
Little has changed between Hewitt and the Tomics during the intervening weeks and, worse, Tomic’s form has deteriorated alarmingly.
Since a third-round Australian Open exit, Tomic has embarrassingly lost four firstround matches to lowlyranked opponents.
World No.140 Darian King ignited a depressing sequence, which now includes failures against Steve Darcis (57), Donald Young (63) and Bjorn Fratangelo (112).
Ranked 17th in the world in November, Tomic has dropped to No 45, prompting questions over his desire.
The talented all-courter was pilloried for retiring in 27C conditions in Acapulco last month, describing the heat as “unbearable” only to return to the court a few hours later to contest a doubles match.
Tomic, 24, will play a qualifier at the Miami Open this week for the chance to test Spain’s Roberto BautistaAgut in the second round.
Hewitt will next week name his team to play the US at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane.
Nick Kyrgios, Thompson, Sam Groth and John Peers are expected to be nominated to face a powerful US outfit led by Jack Sock, John Isner, Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey.