Marinko latest to cop a serve
NOT even Bernard Tomic’s insipid US Open display was enough to save Australia’s second-ranked player Marinko Matosevic from Davis Cup axing because of behavioural issues.
Cup captain Pat Rafter’s fury at Tomic over the Queenslander’s feeble US Open effort against Andy Roddick in the second round was not sufficient to save Matosevic.
Australia faces Germany on clay in Hamburg next week, hopeful of returning to the World Group for the first time since 2007.
Rafter named Tomic, Lleyton Hewitt, Chris Guccione, Matt Ebden and James Duckworth in his squad.
Australia’s most improved player this season after slashing his ranking from 203rd in the world in January to No 62, Matosevic is believed to have been told he will not be selected in Davis Cup until he becomes more professional.
It is understood the baseliner, who boasts wins this season over Richard Gasquet, Ivo Karlovic and Ernest Gulbis, irked Rafter with his antics during Australia’s secondround win over Korea in Brisbane in April.
There are suggestions Matosevic’s racquet throwing, language and attitude towards Rafter, coach Tony Roche and the opposition incensed team officials.
Unless there has been a belated change of heart in the wake of Tomic’s controversial Flushing Meadows exhibition, Matosevic will be overlooked.
Matosevic has managed to improve his ranking – without yet winning a grand slam singles match – after practising regularly with Hewitt.
He has been a finalist on hardcourt in Delray Beach, a quarter-finalist on clay in Munich and semi-finalist on hardcourt in Los Angeles this season at ATP World Tour level.
The strongly built backcourter lost in five sets at the US Open to Croat Marin Cilic.
He is regarded by his coach Josh Eagle – one of Rafter’s closest friends – as hardworking, willing to learn and a worthy project. But his volatility has created serious ripples.
Tomic, 19, will come under intense scrutiny in Hamburg as he attempts to redeem himself.
Dual US Open champion Rafter was furious with Tomic in New York, telling the teenager he had been ‘‘disgraceful’’ against Roddick.
Tomic won only five points in the third set, prompting John McEnroe to accuse him of deliberately tanking.
It is not the first time this season Tomic’s waning focus and questionable commitment have raised eyebrows.