Lleyton Hewitt and Bernard Tomic’s spat is overshadowing the amazing feats, and that’s not right

“We should be celebrating the good but we are unfortunately stuck in the twilight zone of Davis Cup drama.” A host of big names in tennis have whacked Lleyton Hewitt for his comments on Bernard Tomic.

Lleyton Hewitt speaks to the media during a press conference on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Thursday, January 17, 2019. (AAP Image/Erik Anderson) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

It’s getting uglier and uglier every time someone speaks.

Allegation after allegation being aired in public attacks.

The latest episode in the the soap opera that is Australian men’s tennis played out overnight with Lleyton Hewitt claiming Bernard Tomic has blackmailed and threatened him and his close family.

He also revealed that he has now ceased all communication with the 26-year-old in the wake of the alleged abuse over the past 18 months and said Tomic will never play Davis Cup again - at least while he is in charge.

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His comments follow a barrage of accusations from Tomic earlier this week which including accusations of Hewitt making wildcard decisions based on self interest and that his involvement with individual player presented a conflict of interest.

Others in the tennis world have had their say but the saddest part is, there’s some wonderful stories playing out that are taking a back seat.

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So let’s forget the drama and enjoy the achievements.

For the first time in 15 years Australia has three men in the third round of a grand slam with Alex de Minaur, Alex Bolt and Alexei Popyrin all progressing.

Jim Courier shares this opinion and hopes the feel good stories are not entirely overshadowed.

“It is ugly. There is a lot to be gleaned from the tone that Lleyton uses. It is not emotional, he has had a long time to think about it,” he said on Channel Nine.

“It is not news to him what has become public has been privately known for a long time for him.

“It is a shame it couldn’t be handled behind closed doors. You get in front of a media who are eager to have those questions answers.

“It is a shame because we are talking about representing your nation. Something that should be such an honour, a privilege. Now it has become a bit of a blemish story when we have got an amazing Australian story happening in this tournament right now with these two young wildcards coming up and Alex De Minaur playing tonight.

Lleyton Hewitt and Bernard Tomic have exchanged accusations this week

“We should be celebrating the good but we are unfortunately stuck in the twilight zone of Davis Cup drama.”

Roger Rasheed has also lamented the stories that are being overshadowed and criticised Hewitt for pouring fuel on the fire.

“I wouldn’t have said a word,” Rasheed told SEN SA on Friday morning. “We want that stuff to be played out behind closed doors. We should be celebrating what’s on the court. Tennis Australia will need to deal with all this.”

Jim Courier hope the drama doesn’t overrshadow the achievement of others

Earlier this week Tomic accused Hewitt of favouring younger talent and alleged that his promotion of Open debutant Polmans, the world No.169, and the lower-ranked Bolt, was improper.

Hewitt refuted the accusations and also made clear that there were certain expectations when it came to player behaviour which Tomic no longer meets.

Courier back Hewitt in this area.

“Lleyton has been dealing with this for year-and-a-half. He was happy not to have Bernard involved in the culture and the tone that he was trying to set for Australian tennis, which I happen to agree with,” he continued.

“You should be set to a certain standards to wear the green and gold on your back. Bernie certainly is within his rights to have his opinion. He is not within his rights, most likely, to make threats.”