Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt says Bernard Tomic needs to be in the “right head space” before he considers him again for the Davis Cup tennis team.
Tomic was left out of next week’s world group quarter-final against the United States in Brisbane after four straight first-round losses since the Australian Open while battling a back injury.
Asked if he would consider Tomic – who has slid down the ranking to No.44 – in the future, Hewitt said: “Possibly, but he’s going to have to be playing a lot better than he is at the moment.
“I just don’t think he is in the right head space anyway to go out and play for his country at the moment.”
Hewitt admitted Tomic had made it clear from the outset that he would not be keen to play Davis Cup in 2017.
But the Australian captain said it was a combination of “unavailability, fitness and lack of form” that ensured Tomic was not considered.
Still, Hewitt didn’t hide his disappointment over Tomic’s lack of commitment to the Davis Cup in the past.
Tomic did not play Australia’s first round win over Czech Republic at Kooyong in February, citing scheduling issues.
“At the start of the year he wasn’t that keen to play Davis Cup throughout this year,” Hewitt said.
“I haven’t had a lot to do with Bernie since the Slovakia tie in Sydney in September.
“That has probably been the most disappointing thing.
“Because up until then he had a pretty good year, he did well on grass – now for him it is going to be hard to get going again.”
In contrast, Australian No.1 Nick Kyrgios will arrive in Brisbane in top form.
The world No.16 booked a Miami Open semi-final against Roger Federer with a 6-4 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 win over German Alexander Zverev on Friday (AEDT).
Kyrgios’ Miami winning streak looks set to ensure a belated arrival for the three-day quarter-final starting on April 7.
But Hewitt had no problem with Kyrgios arriving as late as Tuesday for the tie.
“It’s great news. Winning form is good form,” he said.
“He’s going to come here confident and he’s a confidence player as well.”
The Australian team is completed by world No.79 Jordan Thompson and doubles team Sam Groth and John Peers.
