Tomic rejects peace

BERNARD Tomic has rejected Tennis Australia’s invitation to broker peace talks, widening a rift unlikely to heal before September’s Davis Cup semi- final.

Responding to TA president Steve Healy’s offer to discuss the funding issues he raised at Wimbledon, Tomic said there was no point.

“Until I am satisfied TA is committed to funding the development of junior Australian talent, including my sister Sara, on a non- discriminatory basis, I do not believe there is any point in meeting with TA,” he said.

“It has been reported that Mr Steve Healy, president of Tennis Australia, would like to reach out to me with a view to resolving some issues that I have with this organisation,” Tomic said from Colombia.

“I would like to respond to those reports as follows.

“I am always ready, willing and able to play for Australia.

“It is my honour and privilege to do so. I consider that I have a good record and it is my hope to continue to represent my country. Importantly, I would like to thank previous TA administrators for their financial support in the past.

“Current TA administrators sacked me from the Davis Cup for comments I made at Wimbledon. I stand by those comments.”

Tomic, who was last week charged with resisting arrest without violence and trespassing after an incident at a Miami hotel, missed Australia’s 3- 2 quarter- final win in Darwin after being sacked for criticising TA’s funding policy.

Despite a public outcry, he said he would not be silenced.

“In the meantime, I reserve the right to continue to speak my mind,’’ he said.

“My right to freedom of speech cannot be taken from me. Having said the above, I am always available for selection for Davis Cup.

“If TA select me, then great. If TA does not select me, then there’s not too much I can do.

“I will stick by my views. To my fans and supporters, please do not lose faith in me. Contrary to some self- serving reports, I am OK and strong.”

Healy indicated TA wanted to resolve the impasse.

“We want to offer Bernard the opportunity to raise the issues he has raised so we can address those with him,” Healy said.

“We think the criticisms are unjustified. He needs to hear that.” Sara Tomic, 17, is ranked 641 in the world. Last week, she beat world No. 111 Kristyna Pliskova in the Turkey Cup in Istanbul.