Tomic hires new co-coach Zovko

Bernard Tomic has hired Croatian Velimir Zovko as a co-coach to instruct him along with his suspended father, John. The Tomics are also of Croatian origin. Zovko has coached WTA player Jelena Kostanic as well as Russia’s Polina Leykina. Upon hearing of the hire, former Top 3 player Ivan Ljubicic gave Zovko high marks on Twitter:

The Melbourne Age reported that Zovko has already arrived in Melbourne to help prepare Bernard for the new season. John Tomic was said to be the person who did the hiring. In May, John was suspended a year for assaulting Bernard’s former hitting partner, Thomas Drouet. Zovko is apparently on a six-month contract.

“Obviously he’s from Croatia, he speaks my language, and it’s very important for me to have a good communication, someone that understands me, my background, because it’s not easy -- I’m a difficult sort of guy,” Tomic said. “Obviously my dad’s gonna be still involved; I’ll sort of have two coaches and they’re gonna work through it with me until my dad’s ban [ends] in May. Until then, I’m going to try with this new coach, with my dad on his side, both of them helping.

“I know not many players have two coaches, it’s something new for me, but I’m gonna try and see how that goes, and then we’ll see how it unfolds after May. If not, [I can] go back to my own formula.”

The world No. 51 just turned 21 years old and gained a bit of notoriety after pictures appeared of him celebrating his birthday at a nightclub, where he received a lap dance.

“It’s tough, but I’ve gotta put my head down,” Tomic said. “I had fun. Obviously I celebrated my 21st … I’m gonna train now and see how I go. I’m ready to go. I always train well before Aussie, everyone knows that, so it’s the important thing to play well after, which I’ll be ready this year. I’m young, so I’m learning. Ups and downs.”