Rosewell asks Hewitt, Tomic to smoke peace pipe

Melbourne, Jan 13 (ANI): One of the most respected figures in Australian tennis, Ken Rosewall, has asked Lleyton Hewitt and Bernard Tomic to make peace when they arrive at Melbourne Park for the Australian Open.

Hewitt plays Italian Andreas Seppi in his first match of the Sydney International on Ken Rosewall Arena today.

Hewitt, Australia's best player in a decade, and Tomic, one of the nation's brightest hopes, are at loggerheads in the lead-up to the Australian Open.

Tomic's father, John, accused Hewitt of racism at the weekend after the former No.1 declare that Bernard Tomic was unworthy of Davis Cup selection.

Rosewall, renowned as a gentleman of the game who played in an era when Australia's success stemmed to a large degree from camaraderie, hoped Hewitt and Tomic could end their spat as soon as possible.

"I don't think anything like that would have happened in the past. I don't really understand the whole story behind it but I think it would be for the benefit of Australian tennis if they could shake hands and everyone could get along," Rosewall said.

"Of course, there's the possibility they could be opponents in Melbourne, but I think they still need to make a start at coming together," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

"You'd think at some stage they might even become Davis Cup teammates so you don't want any bad feelings from people on the same side. I suppose part of being a younger player is to learn by some of the little mistakes you're always going to make along the way. I'd like to see them try to work it out," he added. (ANI)