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Tomic refuses peace talks

Controversial rising tennis star Bernard Tomic says he sees no point in meeting with Tennis Australia officials.

Tennis Australia president Steve Healy reached out to the controversial tennis star to “clear the air” over the funding issues he raised during his post-Wimbledon tirade that got him axed from the Davis Cup team.

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Tomic was arrested after a penthouse hotel party in Miami.

“We want to offer Bernard the opportunity to raise the issues he has raised, so we can address those with him,” Healy said.

But Tomic, who was arrested for a wild night of partying in Miami last week, said he wasn’t ready to talk to the sport’s governing body. 

He also insisted he stood by his post-Wimbledon criticism of Pat Rafter and the Tennis Australia hierarchy.

Healy’s olive branch – a bid to get Tomic back on-side for September’s Davis Cup semi-final – also came after the 22-year-old’s arrest in Miami for failing to follow police orders to quieten down his penthouse party.

But Tomic isn’t prepared to show up for talks.

“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 told News Corp from Colombia, where he is attempting to defend his Claro Open ATP title.

“I am always ready, willing and able to play for Australia. It is my honour and privilege to do so.

“Current TA administrators sacked me from the Davis Cup for comments I made at Wimbledon. I stand by those comments.”

Tomic missed Australia’s Davis Cup quarter-final win in Darwin last week after being kicked off the team over his “unacceptable” criticisms.

Among other claims, he accused the governing body of abandoning him after he underwent double hip surgery last year and said Rafter, TA’s director of player performance, was merely a “mask” for Tiley and had no idea how to control the budget for player funding.

Tomic missed Australia’s Davis Cup quarter-final win in Darwin last week after being kicked off the team over his “unacceptable” criticisms.

– with AAP

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