A ban on parents in the Australian Davis Cup team camp has gone down well with teenage spearhead Bernard Tomic.
But that’s not because of a sometimes tricky relationship with his father and coach John.
Injured veteran Lleyton Hewitt and coaching great Tony Roche are among mentors Tomic can call on in the Australian camp ahead of their tie against minnows South Korea starting in Brisbane on Friday after captain Patrick Rafter made it clear family weren’t welcome.
World No.36 Tomic appeared to have a public falling out with his dad at the recent Miami Masters when he asked the chair umpire to have him removed from courtside seating because he was “annoying” him.
Tomic on Thursday backed Rafter’s call, saying it was important for team bonding.
“It’s a team thing. Parents shouldn’t be involved or coaches,” Tomic said.
“You are here for the team and want to get them across the line. Friends and family should stay behind.”
Tomic on Tuesday admitted his relationship with his dad could sometimes be “a bit tricky” but said he was mystified why the Miami incident made headlines.
Tomic is not short of father figures in the Australian team.
Former world No.1 Hewitt, recovering from foot surgery, has taken Tomic under his wing while Rafter and Roche also offer plenty of wisdom.
“He is settling in. He’s certainly a different cat,” Rafter said of Tomic.
“The boys have been great with him. We are just starting to get each other’s personalities.
“We don’t all have to like each other but we all respect each other.”
Of his decision to ban family, Rafter said: “I don’t want any other coaches running around.
“I don’t want parents there either.
“That’s the way I want it. That’s the way it is. I have already made those rules pretty clear.
“What I like about it is that the kids are exposed to Rochey.
“He’s tough on them, and that’s exactly what these guys need. There are no short cuts in the game of tennis.”
Nineteen-year-old Tomic has been drawn to meet Min-Hyeok Cho – a player who does not have an official ATP ranking – in the opening singles clash on Friday.
Teammate Matthew Ebden, who’s ranked No.75, will take on Suk-Young Jeong, ranked 730th, in the second match.
Chris Guccione and Marinko Matosevic have been pencilled in for Saturday’s doubles clash against the world No.31-ranked South Korea combination.
Tomic looked forward to stepping up in Hewitt’s absence, albeit against a weak South Korean line-up missing top players reportedly due to a fallout with their national federation.
“It’s a responsibility. Looking up to Lleyton, I have learned so much,” Tomic said.
“What a great team member he is. He still delivers off the court even though he is not playing.
“To have him here is huge for me. I strive to be like Lleyton. We all do.”
The Asia-Oceania second-round tie is a stepping stone as world No.18 Australia look to break back into the elite World Group for the first time since 2007.