John Tomic, the father and coach of Bernard Tomic, was allegedly arrested three days ago (prior to the Madrid tournament) for head-butting and breaking the nose of his son’s hitting partner, TENNIS.com has learned.
Sources on site told TENNIS.com that Tomic's hitting partner, France’s Thomas Drouet, was knocked out cold for 20 minutes. John Tomic, who has reputation of having a volcanic temper, was said to have spent one to two days in jail. The ATP has confirmed that there was an incident and report they are currently investigating it, but would not reveal details. Sources on site also said that Drouet has since been seen with a neck brace and a cast around his nose.
The French radio station RMC is alleging that John Tomic struck his son while at the tournament in Monte Carlo and that Bernard was bleeding around his jaw area. RMC also reports that Drouet got in between John and Bernard, which later triggered the assault. Drouet is also said to have a fractured vertebrae. Apparently players Alexandr Dolgopolov and Janko Tipsarevic witnessed the attack, where an ambulance was called. John Tomic was said to be summoned to appear in a Madrid court on Monday.
John Tomic is notorious for clashes, including having a public heated argument with Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley that led to security guards being placed around Tiley; being involved in a road-rage incident in 2006 in which he forced a car occupied by two coaches and a female junior player off the road; and pulling Bernard off the court mid-match at a tournament in Perth when he alleged officials were fixing draws and cheating his then 16-year-old son.