Bernard Tomic's father and coach, John, has vigorously challenged reports that his son was dumped by his long-time management company, IMG, claiming the Tomics instigated the recent contractual release and that the former world No.27's rankings decline after double hip surgery had helped him to avoid a $1.5 million early-exit penalty.
Two days after Bernard Tomic returned to the top 70 by claiming the ATP hardcourt title in Bogota, Colombia, having not previously won consecutive main draw matches since January, Tomic senior said he had sought an end to the IMG deal for about 18 months, but only now was it able to be negotiated without financial penalty.
An IMG spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday that the relationship ended by mutual consent on July 14, "and we wish Bernard the best on and off the tennis court". IMG declared on Twitter last week that the split had been mutual, despite initial suggestions it had been the result of poor off-court behaviour and the ongoing controversies involving the 21-year-old Queenslander and his father, who recently served a 12-month tournament ban for assaulting French training partner Thomas Drouet. Tomic was signed by IMG before his 13th birthday.
"Bernard left IMG - IMG didn't sack, didn't dump Bernard. That is strongly 110 per cent true story. If anybody from IMG come and say that they sack or dump Bernard, I will give million dollars. That is not true," Tomic senior told Fairfax Media from the US, ahead of next week's tournament in Washington DC.
"One-and-a-half year we are looking to leave IMG ... but they look to us for $1.5 million to pay to them to let us go. They wanted damage compensation for what they will lose if they don't manage Bernard. But we didn't accept this offer.
"Obviously I use [the] opportunity now that Bernard had operation and dropped ranking, and I ask them and they give me free [release]. And I go. No one didn't dump Bernard, no-one didn't sack him. Bernard left IMG. We left IMG. We have different view, we are preparing [to] have different structure in the future.''
Tomic would not be drawn on the specifics, but said there had already been "plenty" of interest from rival firms, and acknowledged that much would depend on his son’s results. Bernard Tomic's ranking had plunged to 124th before last week's success, with several big endorsement deals believed to soon be expiring.
John Tomic did, however, welcome the emergence of Wimbledon quarter-finalist Nick Kyrgios, whose astonishing upset of world No.1 Rafael Nadal at the All England Club helped to vault the Canberran to No.65 in the rankings - and also past Tomic in the pecking order of likely future stars.
"Kyrgios is very lovely fella - I know him from Melbourne Park, he's very nice, he's working hard, he's very disciplined, and I wish him luck. He deserves it," Tomic said.
"I want that Nick come because Bernard can not be alone in the Davis Cup ... I'm really happy that Nick is coming but, look, we will see, is long road for us, for everyone, but I wish him luck. And I'm really happy that Bernard has somebody close so that they can survive in the Davis Cup and they can win soon, probably, one Davis Cup.''
Bernard, he said, would be willing and available if selected for Australia's world group qualifying tie against Uzbekistan in Perth in September, having missed the first round against France in February due to injury. Tomic senior scoffed at those who maintain the 21-year-old is destined to be seen as a wasted talent, and already yesterday's man.
"I can just laugh. No one understands how it is after injury, when you have two operations, hips. Lots of athletes, 50 per cent, never come [back]. Bernard did the procedure very slowly, [while] his hips are recovering, very patient," he said, while hinting that his son's work ethic may have been rightly questioned at times.
"You will see when your kid grow how they try to do everything different, it is always like that. It is hard to control kids, teenagers, 19, 20, 21 - you are travelling around every city, Rome, Paris, London, Miami, you know, there are lots of challenges for girls and for boys, distractions.
"But, anyway, I believe in hard work and results will come. You work hard and you don't be scared of no one - you can play, you can compete, you can fight."
