He may be banned from the Australian Open but Bernard Tomic’s outcast father John was in the house for the Sydney International to watch the world No.52 successfully launch his ATP season.
John Tomic was banned from gaining accreditation to ATP events for 12 months after receiving a suspended sentence from a Spanish court for assaulting Bernard’s practice partner Thomas Drouet in May last year.
He won’t be seen at Melbourne Park – even as a spectator – with Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley saying he was barred from the grounds.
But he is able to enter other venues as a paying fan at the discretion of individual tournament directors.
Sydney International supremo Craig Watson has permitted John to attend the the Australian Open tune-up.
He is however strictly prohibited from entering the players’ area.
“The ATP has banned John Tomic – as is public knowledge – which excludes him from getting credentials and being in other accreditable areas,” Watson said.
“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.”
Waiting outside Ken Rosewall Arena for the rest of his son’s entourage, a casually attired John entered the showcourt just before the start of the match against Spanish eighth seed Marcel Granollers, taking up a prime spot in the front row.
But he didn’t have to hang around for long as Bernard won in less than an hour – 6-3 6-0.
Bernard is attempting to defend his sole ATP title win from 2013 in Sydney and maintain his ranking which will slip if he does not progress deep into the tournament.
He recently attempted to create some distance from his father by appointing a caretaker coach, Velimir Zovko.