Hewitt: Tomic threatened me

Australian reveals level of intimidation from Davis Cup teammate

Australia’s David Captain Lleyton Hewitt sensationally claimed Aussie player Bernard Tomic physically and verbally threatened him and his family and told a packed Melbourne press conference  he would never play Davis Cup as long as he was captain.

Hewitt, speaking after his Australian Open doubles exit, Hewitt said he cut off all contact with Tomic after the alleged abuse – which he said had been going on for 18 months.

Hewitt said he tried to help Tomic – who earlier this week criticised him over player selection policy.

Hewitt said he’d received multiple threats from Tomic, “both physical and verbal and blackmail”.

“The threats that I’ve received for me and my family that I’ve had had for a year and half now, I don’t think anyone would reach out to a person who speaks like that.

“For me, it was the abuse I copped from him at the end. I drew a line in the sand and I haven’t spoken to him since.

“He won’t play Davis Cup while I have anything to do with it.”

He said he was really disappointed by Tomic’s most recent comments.

“For me, the biggest frustration is that I really went out of my way to help him,” Hewitt said.

“Deep down, Bernie knows what I’ve done for him … for Bernie to come out and have a go but more to get all of his facts wrong, that’s probably the most disappointing thing.”