How blazing row over his sister sparked bitter rivalry between Tomic and Hewitt
Sara Tomic fell foul of funding from Tennis Australia - leading to a bitter and very public fallout
BERNARD TOMIC'S feud with fellow Aussie and tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt can be traced back to a falling out over HIS SISTER.
Two years ago the pair's friendship fell foul over a funding issue for Tomic's younger sister, Sara, a fringe professional player.
The Tomic family's disagreement with Tennis Australia over the issue complicated things with Hewitt, the country's golden boy and Davis Cup captain.
It led to Tomic also leaving his management company that also represented Hewitt.
He also made himself unavailable for selection for the Davis Cup.
Only a year earlier, Tomic was full of praise for Hewitt as he brought the curtain down on his career with a last appearance at Wimbledon.
Back then Tomic said: “He’s a true mentor, not just to me, but to a lot of people around the world.
"He’s changed me. If he can be around us as much as he can, it’s going to be huge for us the next 10 years.”
And the positivity was clearly both ways, with Hewitt saying: “I’ve built a pretty strong relationship with Bernie.
"I think I’m probably one of the closer guys that he trusts now.”
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Sadly that is a far cry from where the pair stand now.
Tomic, 26, unleashed a verbal attack on Lleyton Hewitt, the former world No 1, after losing his first-round match to Marin Cilic, of Croatia, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) at the Australian Open.
"I'm going to say it honestly; no one likes him anymore.
He proceeded to have a dig at Hewitt's decision to continue playing doubles after apparently retiring in 2016, adding, "go away. If you've retired, why are you still in tennis?"
Only a day later, Hewitt responded to the latest tirade when he spoke with Nine Network.
He said: "It is Bernie being Bernie and losing and going on and complaining about a few things.
"The disappointing thing that the Aussies men and women had a great day and it was overshadowed by Bernard Tomic. He threw a couple under the bus."
The very public fallout shows no sign of letting up, with Tomic also insistent Hewitt favours players who are linked to the same management company.