Thomas Drouet in Madrid, bandaged and wearing a kneck brace. Picture: Ella Pellegrini Source: News Limited
Bernard Tomic's dad John shows his frustration after a call against his son during the 2010 Australian Open. Picture: Fiona Hamilton Source: Herald Sun
John Tomic watches son Bernard train ahead of the 2013 Australian Open. Picture: Jason Edwards Source: Herald Sun
The father of Bernard Tomic is set to face a Spanish court after an altercation with the hitting partner of Australia's top-ranked player.
Tennis Aust confirmed Bernard Tomic's father was involved in an incident with his son's training partner.
Thomas Drouet has accused John Tomic of treating him like a dog. Picture: Ella Pellegrini Source: News Limited
Australia's Bernard Tomic in action during his loss to Radek Stepanek at the Madrid Open. Source: Getty Images
BERNARD Tomic's hitting partner, Thomas Drouet, has outlined an incredible story of six months of verbal abuse from Tomic's dad, John, that he says erupted in violence at the weekend.
Speaking moments before Tomic Sr was to face a Madrid court last night, Drouet told the Herald Sun he had been treated like a "dog" and a "piece of s---" by Tomic Sr for months.
He said things came to a head after Tomic Sr demanded Drouet buy him a carton of milk as they were waiting to go to the airport.
He said he replied that he didn't have time.
Tensions were already high, he said. He said he saw Tomic Sr punch Bernard in the mouth during a practice session last Tuesday, leaving the player in tears.
Kick him out: Assault must be final straw for Tomic Sr
He said that as they were about to board a flight, Tomic Sr again began abusing him, and then sacked him, saying he would not be paid; but Bernard insisted he take the flight with them.
Drouet said outside the Madrid hotel Tomic Sr asked him to walk with him.
"After 100m or something like this he was looking around and then he started again. I thought he was going to say sorry for the verbal abuse, but no.
"He spat in my face, then walked away, and said he wouldn't pay me any more.
"I said, 'OK, John, you are a real man. That's fine. Bernard will pay me'.
"And he headbutted me.
"Every day he treat me like a dog for six months, with disrespect and then this. But he need to be off the ATP (tour)."
Thomas Drouet (left) with Bernard Tomic at the Hopman Cup New Year's Eve ball last year. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: PerthNow
As the hearing was about to start, Drouet told lawyers representing Tomic he did not want trouble.
"I do not want this trouble but you imagine, I am a tennis player and I have this.
"It could be weeks before I can play again. This was not my fault."
Tomic's lawyer said everyone wanted this to be over quickly without having to return to court.
Tomic Sr, a highly volatile and controversial figure on the world circuit, faces a possible lifetime ban from tournaments worldwide if found guilty of assault.
Tomic has coached his son since introducing him to tennis 13 years ago.
John Tomic reacts after a Hawkeye call against Bernard during the 2010 AUstralian Open. Picture: Fiona Hamilton Source: Herald Sun
The ATP World Tour, which runs men's tennis, launched an immediate investigation amid unconfirmed reports Tomic Sr spent time in jail after arrest.
Drouet was taken to hospital by ambulance. Ukrainian star Alexandr Dolgopolov raised the alarm.
A coach close to the Tomic camp last night said he was checking into the hotel at the same time as Bernard Tomic when Tomic Sr and Drouet went outside to talk.
"After five or 10 minutes, we went outside and Thomas was down," the coach said.
"He had blood in his mouth and nose. He was just waking up."
Asked if Tomic Sr was to blame, he said: "I don't know."
The Herald Sun understands Dolgopolov and Serbian star Janko Tipsarevic could be interviewed by Spanish police.
Dolgopolov said he didn't see what happened "so I can't say who was involved."
Volatile history: John Tomic's shame file
Hall of shame: Tennis's five worst bad dads
Outside court, Tomic Sr denied the allegation and said he would defend them vigorously.
"I'm not feeling like I'm guilty, I feel I did nothing wrong," Tomic said outside the court.
He also said that Thomas was the aggressor and he had to head-butt him in self-defence.
Earlier yesterday Tomic Sr contacted Australian media but would not say whether he had been jailed after the incident.
He instead gave cryptic responses to questions.
Tomic Sr has repeatedly strayed into trouble during Bernard's rise.
He was accused of deliberately running rival coaches off the road while driving in Adelaide in 2006.
He was ordered into a public apology after telling Bernard to walk off court mid-match in Perth in 2009 and has repeatedly tested Tennis Australia officials' patience with extreme financial demands.
His tantrums on the practice court are common and he has often threatened to switch Bernard's allegiance to Croatia unless his demands are met. Tennis Australia yesterday said it was waiting on more information before it took any action.
The ATP World Tour said it was still gathering information.
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