Bernard Tomic's father and coach, John, has been allowed to watch his son play from the stands in Sydney even though the ATP tour has banned him from coaching at tournaments.
John Tomic was banned from receiving accreditation to ATP events last May for assaulting Bernard's hitting partner, Thomas Drouet, in Madrid. He has also been banned from the Grand Slams, including the upcoming Australian Open.
But Sydney became the second tournament in the past year to allow John Tomic to be on site as a fan. Last summer, the Queen’s Club tournament did the same.
"Having my dad there for the first time in a while, it's good," Bernard said. “Obviously winning my first title here gives a lot of memories to me. I'm happy the way I played today. I know this ban will finish very soon, in a few months, and [he will be] back to helping me."
Bernard is the defending champion at Sydney, and is said to get along well with tournament director Craig Watson. Watson was asked for a special dispensation, which tournament directors can give to banned coaches. Bernard Tomic has been helpful in promoting the tournament.
"The ATP has banned John Tomic—as is public knowledge—which excludes him from getting credentials and being in other accreditable areas," Watson said in a statement. "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."
Last month, Bernard hired Croatian Velimir Zovko as a co-coach to instruct him along with his father.
"I'm happy. [My dad] is the one that taught me to play like this," Bernard said. "Spent hours with him that I probably won't spend with no one in my life. He knows me the best."