John Tomic in reported clash with Sam Groth at Australian Open

John Tomic has reportedly confronted Sam Groth at the Australian Open in an angry outburst over comments about his son Bernard.

Former Aussie player Groth is at Melbourne Park for commentary duties with Channel Nine, and opened up about Tomic's clash with Denis Shapovalov on Wednesday.

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Speaking before the match, Groth said Tomic had "done too much" in his career for the Australian crowd to get behind him.

“They’re not coming out to support Bernard,” he said on Channel Nine.

“He’s done too much to turn the Australian public against him.”

Tomic Sr reportedly got wind of Groth's comments and confronted him.

According to fellow Channel Nine commentator Tony Jones, Tomic Sr sought out Groth at Melbourne Park.

“Tomic’s father fronted Sam Groth here at Melbourne Park," Jones said on Melbourne radio on Friday.

"He wanted to know why he was actively getting Australia to turn against his son.

“It got quite heated."

John Tomic has been in the stands watching Bernard at the Australian Open, sitting alongside his son's girlfriend Vanessa Sierra.

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While Tomic was gifted passage into the second round due to an injury retirement, it was a very different story in the second.

Shapovalov completely dismantled Tomic 6-1 6-3 6-2, sparking anger among tennis fans and commentators.

"This is getting a bit cringeworthy here," former Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald said in commentary.

"No one can tell me that he is trying here.

"I'm not sure we'll see Bernard Tomic back at the Australian Open."

But Tomic was quick to retort when told of the latter remark in his post-match press conference.

"Of course it is (harsh)," Tomic said.

"But he's probably the worst commentator I've ever seen in my life as well."

Shapovalov had far too many weapons for Tomic, who put in a spirited effort early in the second set.

But as the match progressed Tomic appeared sluggish and disinterested against the 11th-seeded left-hander.

Tomic piled on 40 unforced errors in what was largely a one-hour, 47-minute walk in the park for the Canadian sensation.

"That was very disappointing. Bernard is a talent and he's not fulfilling his talent and he's not even close," Fitzgerald said.

"That's a shame. It's sad for me."

Tomic will at least get a rankings boost after the season-opening grand slam.

He was the only Australian to win through an arduous qualifying campaign in Doha and then added first-round points at Melbourne Park will move him to the cusp of the world's top 200.

with AAP

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