Lleyton Hewitt tells Perth Now that he is in contact with Bernard Tomic and is attempting to help the troubled 20-year-old find his way.
Tomic was recently suspended from Australia’s first-round Davis Cup tie against Chinese Taipei in Taiwan by Tennis Australia and captain Patrick Rafter for his poor attitude. A Davis Cup stalwart, Hewitt says he agrees with Rafter’s decision, but will continue to advise Tomic.
“Pat Rafter has obviously made a stance where you have to live up to his expectations to be part of the Australian David Cup team,” Hewitt said. “Obviously Bernie has done a few things that haven’t agreed with Pat, especially over the past 12 months or so, and he’s going to have to pay a price for that. Pat’s come in a made some tough decisions, but Pat’s heart is in the right place in terms of getting Australian tennis where it belongs.”
Former No. 1 Hewitt said that he does believe Tomic can regain his stride.
“I think he feels that he can talk to me, which is a good thing,” Hewitt said. “I can definitely help him in certain areas of his game, for him to make that next stance and try to get back in the Top 30 in the world, potentially the Top 20 and maybe the Top 10…There’s no doubt he has exceptional talent, but he has to use it in the right way.”