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Pat Rafter feuds with Tomic clan over cash

Getty

Getty

Pat Rafter is locked in a tense war of words with Bernard Tomic’s father John, just days out from Wimbledon.

Rafter has come under fire from Mr Tomic because Tennis Australia has withdrawn funding for his daughter (Bernard’s sister) Sara.

In his new position as Tennis Australia’s player performance director, Rafter decides who receives funding. He believes “ridiculous amounts” of money has already gone to the Tomic’s and has decided Sara will have no ongoing support.

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John Tomic is not happy with how TA are treating his daughter – our top ranked junior female. Photo: Getty

“We’re not funding Sara, which is a bit of a shame for Sara.” Rafter said. “I think she’s a great girl and she has a very good rapport with a lot of TA staff and she always comes across as friendly.

“But unfortunately she is getting roped in because we are not going to tolerate John’s behaviour.”

“We’ve talked amongst our team and we have decided we are now not going to support kids whose parents are vocally against everything we’re trying to do.

Rafter revealed his tough stance after John Tomic accused TA of providing “zero support” for 17-year-old Sara, the world number 690, and Bernard accepted a wildcard into a tournament in the USA at the same time as Australia’s Davis Cup tie in Darwin from July 17.

Mr Tomic told News Corp: “On which basis can he (Rafter) cut funding in Australia? It is not his private company”.

“It means money will be left in TA budget that he can use for his self and all administration.

“Why he did not cut TA administration (and) their high expenses overseas — hotels, first class flight tickets, food.

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Sara Tomic and Nick Kyrgios watch Bernard Tomic at the French Open. Photo: Getty

Rafter quit his position as Davis Cup captain to take on his new role in February and is intent on changing the culture within Australian tennis and says “financially stable” elite players will no longer be funded.

“So, yeah, we do play god a little bit, but I think that’s the way it’s got to be done,” the former world number one said.

“It is a bit dictatorial, however it’s done within a team environment and I believe in it.

Rafter said he had the full support of Davis Cup captain Wally Masur, coach Josh Eagle, Fed Cup skipper Alicia Molik, the head of women’s player development Nicole Pratt and TA’s human relations department.

– with ABC

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