After blacklisting Bernard Tomic, Lleyton Hewitt has issued a stern warning for Nick Kyrgios to lift his game if he wants to play Davis Cup again.
Late Thursday night following his Australian Open doubles exit, Hewitt sensationally declared Tomic would never play Davis Cup while he remained captain.
Lleyton Hewitt during the double's match with John-Patrick Smith of Australia against Marcus Daniell of New Zealand and Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands. Source: AAP
He alleged the former Australian No.1 had physically threatened him and his family and also tried to blackmail him in relation to Davis Cup and wildcards.
“For me it was probably the abuse that I copped,” Hewitt said, when asked why he no longer speaks to Tomic.
“I had to draw a line in the sand and that will continue. He won’t play Davis Cup. I haven’t spoken to him since.
“The threats that I have received for me and my family, I’ve had for a year and a half now.”
He alleged the threats had been “blackmail and physical” and involved his wife Bec Hewitt.
“Asked to specify the nature of the blackmail, Hewitt said Tomic had threatened not to play Davis Cup.”
Hewitt said he could "absolutely" see Kyrgios returning to the Davis Cup fold but that he needed to change his behaviour.
Hewitt said Kyrgios currently wasn't meeting the "cultural standards" set by Davis Cup coach Tony Roche and himself but the door remained open.
Australia's qualifying tie next month in Adelaide is against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bernard Tomic of Australia in action against Marin Cilic of Croatia during day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. Source: AAP
The former world No.1 said he wanted the Australian players to always give 100 per cent to the sport and also be great role models.
"You have to enjoy going out there and playing and what Nick said in Brisbane and not actually wanting to be there at the tournament, I think that hurts one of our Australian events," Hewitt said.
"Nick and I have had a great relationship but standards have to be set and the role I'm in you have to have standards.
"He's got some work to do to get up to those standards.
"All I want guys to do is commit to the sport, work hard and want to play for Australia and I don't think that's too much to ask."
Kyrgios has twice in recent weeks had a dig at Hewitt's courtside support of the country's No.1 Alex de Minaur above other Australian players.
Kyrgios also lashed out on Twitter at Hewitt's former coach Roger Rasheed and former AFL champion Gerard Healy with Hewitt talking to him about his use of social media.
"That's one of the standards we can't put up with just for the culture of Australian tennis," Hewitt said.
"I don't think it's a good look I've spoken to Nick about it and he understands that but whether he learns from it, that's another thing."
Bernard Tomic during his match against Marin Cilic of Croatia during day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. Source: AAP
Hewitt said he was disappointed comments from a "clown" like Tomic had overshadowed the efforts of emerging young stars at the Australian Open such as de Minaur, Alex Bolt and Alexei Popyrin.
He said he wasn't surprised by their success because he's seen their hard work this pre-season.
"For me it's satisfying seeing those guys get results ... I look at those guys and there's a lot of good stories.
"We've got some exceptional players doing some exceptional things."
