Bernard Tomic's father John banned by French Open Bernard Tomic and father John, right, leave Madrid yesterday. Picture: Ella Pellegrini Source: The Australian FRENCH Open organisers last night banned John Tomic from the tournament, following the lead of the ruling body of men's tennis, which yesterday banned him indefinitely. The father of Australian star Bernard Tomic is due to appear in court in Madrid next Tuesday on assault charges for allegedly breaking the nose of his son's hitting partner. While Tomic Sr admitted headbutting Thomas Drouet with enough force to also break vertebrae in the Frenchman's neck, he would be contesting the charge on the grounds of self-defence, his lawyer, Carmen Dieguez, said. Despite the ongoing criminal matter, the Association of Tennis Professionals, which runs the men's tour, opted yesterday to suspend the Queenslander on an indefinite basis following the publication of explosive allegations by Drouet. "Following last week's incident in Madrid concerning John Tomic, and the ensuing investigation, Mr Tomic's credential privileges have been suspended at all ATP tournaments until further notice," said the ATP in a statement. While the current ban - combined with his appearance in court - will prevent Tomic Sr from attending his son's next tournament in Rome, starting on Monday, it does not automatically carry over to grand slam events. It is likely, however, that Tomic Sr will also be banned by Wimbledon organisers. The director of the Grand Slam Committee, Bill Babcock, said it was awaiting a full report from the ATP into the incident involving Drouet. Before the French ban was announced, he said it was up to those in charge of the French Open and Wimbledon to decide whether Tomic Sr should be granted access to the grounds of Roland Garros and Wimbledon. "We're waiting to hear the full report from the ATP and then the grand slams will discuss it and each grand slam will make an accreditation decision or access decision one by one," he told The New York Times. There is less pressure on those in charge of the US Open, which begins in late August, and the Australian Open, given the likelihood the matter will be resolved by then. The WTA, which runs the women's tour, and the International Tennis Federation, which runs junior events, will also monitor events. Bernard's younger sister, Sara, is a promising player. In the meantime, Bernard Tomic has been in contact with senior Australian coaches who have offered him support. Davis Cup coach Josh Eagle spoke to Tomic, who could be replaced as Australia's top-ranked man by Marinko Matosevic next Monday, in Madrid and he will also be in Rome. Tennis Australia officials will also be in Paris for the French Open. Drouet has also alleged that Tomic Sr punched his son in Monte Carlo during a recent practice session, while his childhood coach Neil Guiney has spoken of his volatile theatrics during the time the world No 53 was a rising prodigy. Bernard was bleeding around the mouth, the teeth. There was blood on the court," Drouet told L'Equipe, a French sports newspaper. All that because Bernard had told him that he had had enough of hearing his criticisms. I didn't intervene as I have read I did other places. Afterward, John took Bernard's three racquets and destroyed them. Bam. Throughout the week, Tennis Australia's head of men's tennis, Todd Woodbridge, has stressed the importance of supporting Bernard. He said this incident may give him the "chance to become Bernie, his own man."