Share

Father just the Tomic

Sydney - The father of Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic may be banned from the season-opening Grand Slam in Melbourne next week but it did not stop him cheering his son to victory at the Sydney International on Tuesday.

Former taxi driver John Tomic was banned from receiving accreditation for all ATP events, which includes next week's Australian Open, after he was convicted and sentenced to eight month's imprisonment by a Spanish court for assault.

Tomic was not required to serve jail time after he had been convicted of head-butting his son's former training partner Frenchman, Thomas Drouet, and breaking his nose because his sentence was under two years in length.

The ATP stripped him of accreditation for events, which entitles him into official areas, though he was allowed to buy a ticket as a member of the public at the discretion of the tournament director.

"The ATP has banned John Tomic - as is public knowledge - which excludes him from getting credentials and being in other accreditable areas," Sydney International director Craig Watson told Australian media.

"There is nothing that prohibits the events agreeing to John being in public areas of the ground and I've agreed to allow that to happen."

Australian Open organisers have already said he will not be entitled to purchase a ticket for Melbourne Park.

Tomic, who was coaching Bernard before the ban, sat in the front row of his son's 6-3, 6-0 demolition of eighth seed Marcel Granollers in just under an hour on Tuesday.

The lanky 21-year-old, who won his first ATP Tour title at Sydney last year, has taken Croatian Velimir Zovko on as his new co-coach while his father serves the remainder of the ban.

The ATP is expected to consider whether to lift the ban in May.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1471 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE