But Tomic said he wanted to set the record straight yesterday, following his third round exit at the hands of Novak Djokovic, saying he was going to play Davis Cup before unleashing a scathing attack on Tennis Australia officials, including chief executive Craig Tiley, president Stephen Healy and Rafter, the director of performance.
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In a 10-minute rant during a post-match press conference at Wimbledon on Friday, the 22-year-old accused the Australian tennis governing body of disrespect and mismanagement. Maybe I go up to Pat Rafter Arena and practice there.
But he said he was doing it out of respect for his teammates rather than for the sport’s officials. There has been (a) lack of support towards me. It’s been hard, you know, been good player the last three, four years coming up, and, you know, people expecting a lot from you.
The player’s comments were not received well on social media, with many accusing him of being spoilt and unsportsmanlike.
“His behaviour was unacceptable”, Healy said. “He didn’t”.
But Healy, in his statement, said, “The allegations are misinformed and untrue and he publicly derided some outstanding people”.
“TA remains committed to implementing the best culture possible, with a philosophy of opportunity, not entitlement”, TA said.
Tomic also revealed that Aussie number one Nick Kyrgios had offered to sit out this year’s Davis Cup quarter final if he didn’t play, but that he will be playing in the tournament despite the recent bad blood.
Tennis Australia are yet to announce how the ban will affect Australia’s Davis Cup team, with rumours circulating that retiring champion and captain-in-waiting Lleyton Hewitt may be given the chance to claim Davis Cup glory. “Now all of a sudden, they are neglecting me, for some reason”.
“I’m going to go down there and play for the respect of Davis Cup, for the respect of the Australian public, for myself, and mainly for the respect of, you know, Lleyton and the team”. You know, don’t get me wrong.
“Things started changing after I had that surgery”.
Tomic said he was left mystified by allegedly being asked to pay for the use of courts at Royal Pines and then even at Pat Rafter Arena before this year’s Brisbane worldwide. This behaviour is just not on, ‘ Healy said. It will really be up to Bernard.
“If he chooses one path that is destructive, that’ll be unfortunate and it’s not going to benefit him. If he chooses another path of taking it on the chin and accept what he’s done is in error and not acceptable, we can move on”. You know, behind that I think very disappointed in Craig Tiley in Tennis Australia.
Tomic departed the All England Club on his own on Saturday night after Tiley earlier escorted him to the players’ restaurant to advise the world No. 26 of his punishment.
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Australia play Kazakhstan in Darwin beginning on July 17.
