Tomic Will Ask Wimbledon To Let Banned Dad In

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 26th June 2013

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

Tomic Will Ask Wimbledon To Let Banned Dad In

epa03721315 Bernard Tomic of Australia in action during his first round match against Victor Hanescu of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 28 May 2013. EPA/IAN LANGSDON |

Bernard Tomic pulled no punches after his five- set victory over Sam Querrey at Wimbledon when it comes to the tournaments and the ATP s ban of his father John, who is facing charges for allegedly assaulting his son’s hitting partner Thomas Drouet in Madrid.

John Tomic’ s coaching credential has been suspended at regular ATP events for a one-year period dating back to the alleged May assault.

Like Roland Garros, Wimbledon has banned him from the grounds all together.

“I’m not saying it’s Wimbledon, they’re harsh,” Tomic said. “I’m saying probably the ATP. It’s their decision. From what I know, it’s very disappointing, and I’m going to keep saying it, it is. From what they investigated about my dad, whoever is on the board, this guy called Gayle [Bradshaw], he said clearly he was on the phone with my father and made a decision on behalf of that. You don’t do that. If you’re the ATP, you come on a flight, you have a meeting with whatever’s wrong. At this stage, they didn’t. They investigated something on the telephone for 30 seconds and made a decision, which is very bad. Whoever was on the board to make that decision, it was Gayle and a few more people, very disappointing to see that happen like that.

“That’s the only thing that’s harsh, I think.”

Bradshaw is actually the Executive Vice President, Rules & Competition and is not on the board of directors, but he is the executive in charge of such decisions. However, the board of directors, which consists of Player Representatives Justin Gimelstob (who was just reelected), David Egdes, Giorgio di Palmero and Tournament Representatives Gavin Forbes, Mark Webster and Charles Smith were certainly consulted on the mater, as was the recently deceased ATP CEO Brad Drewett.

“It’s all right that certain tournaments have decided to ban him,” Tomic said. “ I think my dad was able to come at Queen’s, which was all right. But it all came through the ATP.”

“Now, there’s a lot of players that are very disappointed with the ATP, that’s for sure. I’m not going to lie and come here on a press conference and , you know, before post match (interview) we always get ATP people telling us what to say. I’m not going to hide and say false things. I’m going to say the truth of how I feel. I’m going to blame the ATP a lot for this. You know, there’s a lot of players out there who do not stand by the ATP’s decision. They have a lot of bad decisions, a few good ones, but I’m saying this is a very bad one.”

If John Tomic were allowed on the grounds the tournament would be taking a risk as Drouet is on site working with Marion Bartoli. But Bernard said that he’ s going to ask Wimbledon officials to change their mind, saying he will try have a word with them. “ I know they’re very strict here. We’ll see what they say. It would be amazing to have my dad here watching me as a coach and a father, something that I want. But Wimbledon are very strict.”

Tomic also complained that he is a bit of fish out of water without his father, who by the way, is staying with him in Wimbledon Village. He is hitting with a friend of his from Monaco, which he says is going well, but he doesn’t feel as comfortable as he could on court.

“Growing up with your father is a good thing for me because this is how I became good at tennis at a young age,” he said. “ I was there with my dad. We worked hard. We were on the court together. Now all of a sudden there’s a change. My dad is my coach. He’s not somebody that’s just like a friend. It’s very difficult.”