Tomic could skip French Open

Fragile ... Bernard Tomic could skip the French Open. Source: Andy Wong / AP

Bernard Tomic may not play in the French Open with a question mark over his mental stamina, his coach and father John Tomic suggested.

Tomic, ranked 53rd in the world, pulled out of the Italian Open in Rome this week, citing personal reasons.

The ATP tournament is seen as a critical red clay hit out before the French Open which starts in just over a week’s time.

The unspecified personal reasons are presumed to be his father last week being charged with assault in Spain after allegedly headbutting Bernard’s tennis practice partner, Thomas Drouet.

Speaking after a brief appearance in the Madrid court on Tuesday where he was formally charged with causing bodily harm to the 29-year-old Frenchman, Tomic Sr said he did not believe his son would now play at the Roland Garros grand slam event.

“We don’t know, probably not,” Tomic Sr said when asked if his son would be playing in the French tournament.

When asked if he was not fit enough mentally, Tomic added: “You guys created this situation.”

Tomic Sr declined to comment about both the ATP and ITF suspending his credentials to attend tournaments, pending an ATP investigation into the Madrid incident and allegations he smacked his son in the mouth, causing it to bleed, during a practice in Monaco two weeks ago.

His lawyer Jacobo Dopico said he expected Tomic to be cleared of the charges, adding that he was totally innocent. He said a delay in the case because of Drouet's failure to attend court this week was unfortunate.

It was initially believed the matter could have been settled out of court with both parties saying they wanted an end to it but Tomic Sr has declared his innocence, prompting a full hearing to be held in October.

“He wants to resolve this case as soon as possible, this delay was very bad for him and he wants to solve this quickly and prove his innocence because the point is he is not only innocent but he also has some proofs that support this affirmation,” he said.

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