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LONDON (AFP) –
John Tomic, father of Bernard Tomic, watches as his son plays against Andy Murray at the Miami Masters on March 23, 2013. The father of Australian tennis player Tomic has been indefinitely banned from all tournaments as he faces charges of assaulting his son’s practice partner, governing body the ATP announced on Tuesday.
The father of Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic has been indefinitely banned from all tournaments as he faces charges of assaulting his son’s practice partner, governing body the ATP announced on Tuesday.
John Tomic claimed in a court appearance in Madrid on Monday that he had acted in self-defence when he headbutted Thomas Drouet shortly after their arrival in the Spanish capital for a Masters Series event.
He denies a charge of assault.
“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,” read an ATP statement released on Tuesday.
“The ATP’s investigation into this incident remains ongoing.”
A second court hearing is scheduled to take place on May 14. If found guilty, John Tomic could be sentenced to between three months and three years in prison.
In a statement, Tennis Australia said the allegations against Tomic were “very concerning” and it was working with ATP officials who were investigating.
Bernard Tomic, ranked 49th in the world, has had his own share of controversy and last year created more headlines off the court than on it, including run-ins with police in his sports car and claims he was not trying hard enough.
The 20-year-old was recently recalled to Australia’s Davis Cup team after captain Pat Rafter disciplined him for a lack of professionalism.
His father, meanwhile, has a history of unruly behaviour.
A former taxi driver, he once courted controversy when he ordered his son off court during a match in Perth, after claiming the umpire was not penalising the opposing player.
At the 2010 Australian Open, he confronted officials who scheduled his son to play at night. And last year, Bernard asked an umpire in Miami to throw his father out of the stadium for disruptive behaviour.
