Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ABUSED AND THREATENED ME & MY FAMILY
Hewitt’s explosive claims as row with Tomic goes nuclear
last couple of years. I haven’t spoken to him. It was the abuse I have copped.
“He won’t play Davis Cup as long as I have anything to do with it.
“The threats I have received for me and my family for a year-and-a-half now.
“Blackmail and threats. Physical, yes. Do I feel threatened by him? No.
“It started with blackmail over wild cards over a year ago. I don’t think he has my number any more.
“I don’t think anyone would reach out to someone doing that.
“It makes me feel disappointed because deep down
Bernie knows what I have done for him. I don’t know why Bernie is Bernie.
“I think his upbringing has got a lot to do with it. It is one clown dominating all the headlines.
“All I want is guys to commit to the sport and work hard and want to play for Australia.”
Earlier this week, Tomic claimed he dared Hewitt to “come one metre from me if he is a man”.
The controversial 26-yearold added: “Two years ago I said, ‘If he ever tries to talk to me, I’ll knock him out’.”
Hewitt also said another Aussie bad boy Nick Kyrgios had to improve his behaviour before returning to the Davis Cup team.
“We feel like we have a responsibility to set a cultural standard and right now Nick’s not meeting those either,” he added.