"I've written to TA before to say that I applaud what they've done with their young people, that they've got to bring them into line, but I also don't like it when someone's seen as an easy target and the facts are just thrown out the window. I don't agree with that at all. I'm a fair-minded person, so it's up to me to speak out and that's why I did."

A long-time friend of Tomic, Ford said he had assured staff that the fee would be paid at the end of the practice session. He said the court's two previous occupants ended their hit at the appointed time, and then stayed on briefly at court-side to watch. "Telling players to get off the practice court, that did not happen - 100 per cent," said Ford.

He said the only issue arose when the staff member appeared later in the session to query the payment process, which was a surprise, given the previous exchange. "Next thing I know, he's engaged with Bernard, while Bernard's in a training session."

Ford said he heard the staff member making references to booking issues from last year, and a remark that "it's no wonder all you tennis players have a bad name". He said Tomic "then stated rather abruptly that the payment would be made and that he needed to get back to practice. However, as frustrating as the interruption was, at no time did I hear the staff member sworn at, and I was part of the conversation."

Concerned by what he believed was a publicity-seeking agenda, Ford said, "I requested he accompany me to reception to leave my details and confirm that payment would be made at the conclusion of the session as previously agreed. Upon my return to the court Bernard confirmed with me that the payment issue had been sorted out by his representative from the Brisbane International, who he put on speaker phone to verify the payment."