Bernard Tomic’s battered French hitting partner Thomas Drouet has shaken the mental anguish of being headbutted in the face by an angry Croatian man to outline an extensive pattern of abuse suffered at the hands of Tomic’s father, John. The 29 year old Frenchman broke his nose, cut his face and bruised his neck in Madrid last week thanks to a quarrel turned brawl Tomic Sr. claims was self defence. Drouet claims it was classic John Tomic.
Among the abuse allegedly suffered by Drouet at the hands of his playing partner’s coach/father is an extended period of verbal abuse, threats to withhold pay, being spat on, being “treated like a dog” and being ordered to get some milk please, errand boy.
From the perspective of someone who knows nothing about law, Tomic Sr.’s defense seems pretty flimsy with his lawyers claiming that an unsolicited Glaswegian kiss was the safest course of action available because his arms were being held and he had to protect himself from falling over, which is kind of like saying this.
Tomic Sr. has since been arrested and released.
Photo by Dominique Faget/AFP
