Tomic's father banned by ATP

Alleged head-butt victim wants punishment extended for life

The father of Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic was barred on Tuesday from being accredited to upcoming ATP events pending an investigation into allegations that he assaulted his son's training partner ahead of this week's Madrid Open.

John Tomic was charged with assault after allegedly head-butting the hitting partner, Thomas Drouet, on Saturday outside the players' hotel in Madrid.

"Following last week's incident in Madrid concerning John Tomic, and the ensuing investigation, Mr Tomic's credential privileges have been suspended at all ATP tournaments until further notice," the men's tour said in a statement. "The ATP's investigation into this incident remains on-going."

Drouet called for the elder Tomic to be banned from all tour events in an interview published in Tuesday's issue of French sports daily L'Equipe.

"I want to help Bernard forbid his father from having access to tournaments," Drouet said. "I want him to be banned from the ATP and the WTA.

"He is a dangerous person, who has nothing to do in this sport of gentlemen."

A Madrid court said on Monday that John Tomic disputed the charges and will face trial on May 14.

Drouet, of Monaco, also said he saw the elder Tomic hit his son last week.

"John hit his son on the court while we were training in Monaco," Drouet said. "He punched him in the face. Blood was dripping from his mouth onto the court. Tuesday, he attacks his son, Saturday me, what's next?"

It is not the first time John Tomic has reacted violently toward his son, according to Drouet.

"I already saw John punch his son when I was in their house in Australia in January," he said. "He mistreated him physically. I know it because I heard a big noise in the room next door. It was pretty clear."

Drouet said the incident in Madrid stemmed from an earlier altercation at the Nice airport when John Tomic screamed at him for not getting some milk. Drouet said he yelled back, and that Tomic replied: "Get out of my way. If not, I will punch your head in."

"John canceled my ticket, then went to tell Bernard that I had pushed him in front of the house this morning," Drouet said. "Bernard told his dad, 'You are lying, I believe Thomas. He's coming to Madrid with me.'"

Drouet described the incident at the Madrid hotel, saying John Tomic led him to an isolated place to talk before spitting in his face.

"I think he was waiting for me to hit first," he said. "I didn't move. And then, he gave me a big head-butt. I collapsed. I called one time for help, I was a bit convulsed and I lost consciousness.

Bernard Tomic, who lost in straight sets to Radek Stepanek on Sunday, reportedly said he had been with his physical trainer at the time of the incident and had not seen or heard anything.

According to Drouet, Bernard Tomic came to see him and apologized, saying his father "went too far".

Drouet also claimed John Tomic forced him to do all kinds of work that had nothing to do with his tennis job, such as bringing Bernard orange juice in his room every morning. Drouet said several people advised him to quit but "I'm divorced, I have a son, a loan to pay off".

In November, the 20-year-old Bernard Tomic was fined and put on a 12-month good-behavior bond after twice being stopped by police for driving offenses.

In late October, police were called to a high-rise apartment building in the Australian resort city of Surfers Paradise after residents saw two men, one of them naked, wrestling and fighting in a hot tub on the balcony. One of the men was later identified as Bernard Tomic.

(China Daily 05/09/2013 page23)