Australian Bernard Tomic has been expelled from a tournament in the Dominican Republic after being accused of harassing another player.
Tomic reached the quarterfinals of the RD Open on the ATP Challenger Tour, but was eliminated by Ecuador’s Andres Andrade.
Andrade dominated Tomic in a 6-2, 6-2 victory, and things were fiery between the two throughout. After the match ended, Tomic walked past the Ecudorian without shaking his hand.
Despite being eliminated, Tomic decided to stay a few days and watch the final court, which Andrade fought against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur.
At the end of the first set, Tomic was removed from the stands following a conversation with tournament officials after Andrade accused the 31-year-old of harassing him.
“I want this man eliminated,” the Ecuadorian told the chair umpire.
It is believed that Tomic went so far as to follow Andrade at every change of ends to get to the same side of the net.
As it stands now, Tomic is ranked 250th in the world.
While the former world number 17 has risen back up the rankings in the past two years, having fallen to 825 in September 2022, the incident at the RD Open is the latest chapter in a disappointing playing career, plagued by controversial moments at and off the field.
In June, Tomic retired early in the second set after a court argument with his girlfriend over a positive test for Covid-19.
Tomic complained of illness throughout the match, but had to continue because no doctors were available. He later tested positive for Covid-19.
