Bernard Tomic-Lleyton Hewitt bust-up deepens as youngster denies compatriot’s allegations calling him a ‘liar’

Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic has denied compatriot Lleyton Hewitt’s allegations that he had made threats against the former world number one and his family, local media reported on Friday.

Davis Cup captain Hewitt told reporters at Melbourne Park late on Thursday that he had banned Tomic from playing in the Australian team after receiving physical and verbal threats, including “blackmail”, from the 26-year-old.

World No 88 Tomic returned serve on Friday, describing Hewitt as a “liar”.

“I have never threatened his family,” Tomic told News Corp Australia.

“Nice, Lleyton. To think how low of a person you actually (are) and (it’s) why the Australian public never liked you.

“I got nothing to do with your family and I don’t care what’s wrong with you, you liar.”