Tomic is sabotaging Australian tennis culture says CEO Craig Tiley

Bernard Tomic is deliberately trying to damage Australia’s tennis culture - and not for the first time, says Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley.

Bernard Tomic has been slammed by Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley, saying “he does not meet the standards of behaviour and commitment to himself, the team or the sport”. Picture: News Corp

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley has issued a withering preemptive strike against Bernard Tomic ahead of an interview to be aired tomorrow night featuring the controversial Queenslander and his father John Tomic.

Tiley, who earlier today announced the introduction of a new combined men’s and women’s event in Adelaide to be held in the lead-in to the Australian Open, has lashed out at claims from the Tomic family that the 2011 Wimbledon quarter-finalist was bullied by Lleyton Hewitt.

A week after keeping slightly ajar the prospect that the 26-year-old might yet represent the nation again should he be able to mend bridges with several Tennis Australia officials including Hewitt, Tiley today issued a terse statement ahead of Tomic’s interview on the Nine Network’s 60 Minutes program.

“Over generations of leadership, from Neale Fraser, John Newcombe, Tony Roche, John Fitzgerald, Patrick Rafter, Wally Masur and now Lleyton Hewitt, the Australian Davis Cup team has been renowned for a culture based on hard work, commitment to giving your best when representing your country and supporting your teammates,” Tiley said.

“Our Davis Cup team has everyone’s full support as we all look to maintain a strong culture which includes showing a love and respect for the sport and its history, and players all working hard to maximise their potential.

“This is a cultural foundation established by legends of our sport through generations. On the tour, these players represent Australia every time they play. We support them in a manner we consider appropriate, always looking to uphold our cultural standards. We expect players to be respectful of the sport and each other.

“In regards to John Tomic’s recent claim in the media about an alleged incident in 2010, we are not aware of any formal complaint lodged by either John or Bernard. Both Bernard and John have enjoyed a lot of support since in many areas of their lives _ including a long and sustained period of personal commitment and whole-hearted effort from Lleyton Hewitt as Davis Cup captain.

“Our organisation remains deeply disappointed with the ongoing disrespect from Bernard and his father”, says Craig Tiley. Picture: Getty

“Lleyton is right to say Bernard will not be considered for Davis Cup. Bernard does not meet the standards of behaviour and commitment to himself, the team or the sport. Now, he is deliberately trying to damage that culture — and not for the first time.

“Our organisation remains deeply disappointed with the ongoing disrespect from Bernard and his father. We have given more than a decade of support. Ultimately, we have to draw a line when the behaviour does not warrant the support.”

The response follows praise issued for Hewitt by both John Millman and Alex de Minaur after both posted opening day wins in the Davis Cup tie being played in Adelaide against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Tiley met with Hewitt in a conference room at Tennis South Australia’s headquarters adjoining Memorial Drive after play finished yesterday.

It is the latest salvo in the war sparked by Tomic after he was beaten on the opening night of the Australian Open by Marin Cilic. Following his defeat, Tomic levelled a series of allegations at Hewitt, accusing him of favouritism and also abusing the wildcard system for personal gain, among other claims.

Hewitt responded by alleging Tomic issued threats of violence towards himself and his family over the past two years after a breakdown in their relationship. He declared Tomic would not play again for Australia under his stewardship.

Tomic Snr then joined the spat by threatening to sue Tennis Australia and Hewitt over an incident in which he alleged his son was intimidated and bullied during a Davis Cup tie in 2010 when the pair were teammates.

Asked after Australia’s 4-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina whether he agreed with the sentiments of Tiley’s statement, Hewitt was succinct.

“Yep,” he said.

He made the point that even when players were on the road competing as individuals, they should understand that they were still representing their nation.

The Davis Cup captain praised the dedication shown this week by team members John Millman, Alex de Minaur, John Peers, Jordan Thompson and Alexei Popyrin, as well as hitting partner Alex Bolt.

“For me, the culture hasn’t changed. We have standards and what we have seen this week is pretty much it,” he said.

“These guys come out and give 100 per cent for their country and wear the green and gold with pride. It is not something we expect that you change when you are playing for yourself, because at the end of the day, you are playing the whole year representing Australia. That is something you do on the tour.

“The Davis Cup we see as a vehicle for our coaching staff to really implement those things into these guys and then they get on the road and have to do it themselves with their own coaching team. But for me, I don’t think it is a lot to ask. It is something that should come pretty easily and for a lot of these guys are here, it does.”

The intervention of Tiley, who has dealt with the Tomic family for more than a decade in his time at the top of Tennis Australia, is the most senior intervention by an official from the organisation.