Bernard Tomic has pulled out of next week’s Rome Masters as his father fights an assault charge in a Spanish court.

Tomic, the ATP’s number 53, was missing from Saturday’s draw for the crucial French Open warm-up which starts on Monday in the Italian capital.

On Tuesday, John Tomic is due to appear again at a Madrid court facing charges of assaulting his son’s practice partner in the Spanish capital last week.

John Tomic claimed in his first court appearance last Monday that he had acted in self-defence when he headbutted Thomas Drouet shortly after their arrival in the city for the Masters Series event.

He denies a charge of assault.

Tomic senior has since had his ATP tournament credentials suspended in the aftermath of the allegations.

If found guilty, John Tomic could be sentenced to between three months and three years in prison.

Bernard Tomic has had his own share of controversy and last year created more headlines off the court than on it, including run-ins with police in his car and claims he was not trying hard enough in matches.

The 20-year-old was recently recalled to Australia’s Davis Cup team after captain Pat Rafter disciplined him for a lack of professionalism.

His father, meanwhile, has a history of unruly behaviour.

A former taxi driver, he once courted controversy when he ordered his son off court during a match in Perth, after claiming the umpire was not penalising the opposing player.

At the 2010 Australian Open, he confronted officials who scheduled his son to play at night. And last year, Bernard asked an umpire in Miami to throw his father out of the stadium for disruptive behaviour.