BERNIE OPEN TO TALK
END TO HEWITT FEUD IN SIGHT
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 first-round Australian Open defeat to Marin Cilic.
Claiming the former world No.1 was divisive, 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 after firstround Australian Open defeat.
“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. Tomic described Hewitt as a “fake person” driven by self interest, claiming Kokkinakis and Kyrgios were unwilling to play under Hewitt in the current environment.
Kokkinakis said he was disappointed to be overlooked for a wildcard – on Hewitt’s orders – in preference of lower-ranked Alex Bolt and Alexei Popyrin, who both won in Round 1.
Marc Polmans also was preferred to Kokkinakis, who would not comment on Tomic’s claims, while Matt Ebden said Tomic’s bombshell tirade contained elements that needed attention.
“There’s clearly some issues that need to be addressed with the players and Tennis Australia, with Davis Cup and the players,” he said.