Tomic takes dad ban on chin

Bernard Tomic said he was resigned to his father-cum-coach being banned from Wimbledon but the Australian number one refused to relent in his broadside at the ATP.

John Tomic is staying in London with his 20-year-old son but has not been able to see him in action at the All England Club, which has barred him even entering as a spectator.

His son beat James Blake 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 on Thursday to progress to a third round clash with either French ninth seed Richard Gasquet or Japanese qualifier Go Soeda.

John Tomic faces a court date in Madrid later this year over an alleged attack on his son’s former hitting partner Thomas Drouet on May 4.

“I don’t think they’ll be allowing him in, which is okay. I’m focusing on my matches. I’m still seeing my dad. He’s still advising me what to do,” Tomic said.

“I’m going to keep my same routine, how it’s going. I’m enjoying how I’m playing. I can’t complain.

“As soon as I get back to the house, he tells me what I’ve done in the first round, what I need to do. He’s still helped me a lot.

“He’s my dad. He’s still my coach. If I can pick up any advice from him, it’s huge, because he knows my game the best.

“I think that’s why I’m doing well, because I am listening to my dad a little more the past few weeks.”

Drouet was left with a broken nose after a brawl outside the Madrid Masters players’ hotel. John Tomic claims he was acting in self-defence.

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) have banned John Tomic from attending tournaments in a coaching capacity until the matter is resolved, with Wimbledon officials going one step further and preventing him from attending even as a spectator.

Drouet was at Wimbledon on Wednesday, where he watched French compatriot Marion Bartoli beat Christina McHale of the United States in straight sets.

Tomic had vowed to take up his father’s ban with the All England Club following his first round win.

“There’s been some communications for sure. But it’s pointless now because they’ve stuck by the decision. They’re not going to change,” the world number 59 said.

“I’m happy with the situation now.”

However, he stood by his blast at the ATP, the men’s tour organisers.

“Of course, I would have loved it to change before the tournament. I’m not going to change my routine now. Hopefully after that tournament, the next few tournaments, maybe there’s a chance.

“I understand the whole situation. It’s not something I want to continue talking about. But I’m still standing by what I said about the ATP.

“I’m going to keep my head down, hopefully things can turn around sooner or later.”