Tomic’s Olympic place in doubt
THE Australian Olympic Committee is poised to weigh into the furore surrounding Bernard Tomic’s Davis Cup sacking ahead of next year’s Rio de Janeiro Games.
The AOC is known to be monitoring the behaviour of both Tomic and Nick Kyrgios in the wake of an explosive first week at Wimbledon.
If the AOC decides either of the pair fails to meet behavioural standards it could veto their selection for Rio.
The revelation comes in the wake of Kyrgios messaging a TA official on Saturday to express his concern over Tomic’s dumping from Davis Cup.
Gold Coaster Tomic was sacked because of disparaging comments about Pat Rafter, Craig Tiley and Steve Healy.
It is understood Kyrgios was livid with the decision to stand down Tomic and told his close mate he would continue to support him.
Despite the pledge, Kyrgios used social media less than 24 hours later to confirm his Cup availability – with a caveat.
“As a proud Australian it’s a pleasure and privilege to be able to represent my country in Davis Cup,” he wrote on Facebook.
“As long as I’m able, fit and healthy, It’s an opportunity I will never pass up.”
Kyrgios’ management has not denied the star grasscourter sent messages to TA staff indicating he was contemplating missing next week’s quarterfinal with Kazakhstan.
Kyrgios’ management has not responded to News Corp despite several requests.
Tomic claimed on Friday Kyrgios would sit out the quarter-final if Tomic, as he had originally planned, went ahead with a boycott because of a funding row with TA.
“It’s interesting what’s happened the last week that Nick wasn’t going to play as well,” Tomic said.
“You know, I was not going to play. He said: ‘If you don’t play, I don’t play’.
“It was interesting looking at this; we are in the quarter-finals of a stage, and we are sort of about to pull the pin.
“There is a lot of stuff that’s involved now that I’m very disappointed in.”
Tomic then unloaded on TA in a tirade that eventually led to his dismissal.
John Tomic claimed yesterday his son agreed to apologise for the comments in order to be picked for Davis Cup.
TA feared the apology would be insincere and decided to sanction the Queenslander.
Tomic then spoke with Kyrgios before Kyrgios messaged TA.
The AOC will consider TA nominations for Rio based on Davis Cup participation and world raking.
But there is another qualification regulation – “To be eligible to participate in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, all athletes must be in good standing with their National Association.”
The AOC is aware of Kyrgios’s running battle with officials at Wimbledon last week.