Sunday 12 July 2015 12:22, UK
Former world No 1 Pat Rafter admits he and Bernard Tomic may never reconcile their differences in the wake of Tomic’s latest outburst.
Tomic, ranked No 27 at Wimbledon, was knocked out in the third round of this year’s tournament in straight sets by top seed and singles finalist Novak Djokovic.
My big philosophy is trying to take away that sense of entitlement and make young players hungry (to succeed).
The 22-year-old lashed out at Rafter and Tennis Australia (TA) in his post-match news conference, accusing TA of penny-pinching, claiming he had been charged for practicing on their courts.
Tomic’s outburst saw him dropped from Australia's Davis Cup team for this week's tie against Kazakhstan in Darwin for what TA described as his "disparaging and disrespectful comments".
Rafter hopes the feud is not irreconcilable and insists he is happy to sit down with Tomic to talk things out, although he admits "that may never happen."
“It’s about opportunity, not entitlement,” Rafter told Brisbane's Sunday Mail newspaper.
“It’s a principle I believe in and feel really passionate about. The philosophy has always been in place within Tennis Australia, but when I came in there, I made it quite clear and quite strong.
“My big philosophy is trying to take away that sense of entitlement and make young players hungry (to succeed).
“I hope that, in time, the Tomics (Bernard and father John) would see what we’re trying to achieve in terms of helping the culture within our sport.
"I'd like to think that people can change. I've got to stay true to what I believe in."
Australian star Nick Kyrgios also weighed into the debate, defending Tomic and criticising Rafter in a tweet that was later deleted.
"Another negative comment out of Rafters mouth," Kyrgios tweeted. "Does this guy ever stop? #everyoneisaworkinprogress."
