Bernard Tomic refuses to accept Tennis Australia peace offering

Bernard Tomic

Melbourne, July 24 (IANS)

Australian tennis star Bernard Tomic has refused an offer from Tennis Australia (TA) to meet and resolve their long-running feud.

TA president Steve Healy reached out to Tomic on Tuesday hoping to make peace over their issues, and declaring the 22-year-old still had an important role to play in Australia's Davis Cup campaign, Xinhua reported on Friday.

But Tomic brushed away Healy's olive branch, saying the meeting would be a waste of time.

“Until I am satisfied TA is committed to funding the development of junior Australian talent, including my sister Sara, on a non-discriminatory basis, I do not believe there is any point in meeting,” Tomic said.

Tomic, who slipped back four places in the world rankings this week to world No.29, said, “I am always ready, willing and able to play for Australia. It is my honour and privilege to do so.”

Since Tomic's tirade at TA officials at Wimbledon earlier this month – when he took aim at several TA officials, including Healy, for showing him and his sister a lack of “respect” – the two parties have been publicly at odds with each other.

Tomic said he would not reconsider his original comments, which led to the indefinite severing of ties with TA.