Mark Philippoussis calls for Aussie tennis stars to communicate more rather bicker on social media

Australian tennis great Mark Philippoussis has encouraged the current crop of tennis stars to communicate more and thrash out their differences the “old school” way rather than on social media.

Nick Kyrgios exits the Australian Open.

Two-time Davis Cup winner Mark Philippoussis has encouraged Australia’s current crop of tennis stars to communicate more and thrash out their differences the “old school” way rather than on social media.

Australia is set to name its Davis Cup squad on Tuesday, with uncertainty surrounding whether or not Nick Kyrgios will be picked despite making himself available.

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Kyrgios made a first-round exit from this year’s Australian Open, Philippoussis saying in-form players such as Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin and John Millman deserved priority when it came to selection.

“You’ve got to pick the guys that are playing the best and producing results. It’s not complicated, it’s simple,” Philippoussis said.

Australia’s troubled tennis stars Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic.

The two-time grand slam finalist, who retired in 2015, refused to buy into the current beef between Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt and Bernard Tomic, in which there have been allegations of threats and blackmail.

Kyrgios also took a swipe at Hewitt in a deleted Instagram post last week.

However, Philippoussis said while people would always have their differences, players could come together with good communication.

“It’s very important to recognise that and you’ve got to communicate,” he said.

Mark Phililppoussis and Lleyton Hewitt after winning the Davis Cup in 2003. Picture: Craig Borrow

“I think in the past if we had issues with each other or if I had an issue with someone I actually spoke to that person and only that person and one way or another it was worked out.

“I think you have to go back to the old school and do that instead of getting on the Twitter because you’re not going to figure out anything that way.

“We won two Davis Cup titles. That speaks for itself. We came together well as a team. What made us great was the fact that we were different.”

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Originally published as Mark Philippoussis calls for Aussie tennis stars to communicate more rather bicker on social media