'Medically, this has been really serious': James McCabe provides update on father's condition after alleged assault

Australia's James McCabe has provided an update on his father following an alleged assault by a tournament staffer at a Birmingham Challenger event.

Earlier this week, The First Serve reported that McCabe and his father, Patrick, who is also coaching his son, were approached by a staff member to leave the practice court at 9:25am on Monday, June 1, with McCabe recounting that the staffer was "shouting and acting aggressively".

"I directly witnessed the incident involving my father. My account is that we were trying to leave and de-escalate, but the staff member followed us for around 50 metres before the doorway incident. This was an accredited tournament area, not a normal public area," McCabe explained to The First Serve.

"My account is that my dad was forcefully pushed or driven into the doorway area while I was holding the door open for him. Immediately afterwards, he said words to the effect of ‘you assaulted me.’ That immediate aftermath is on video, with ball kids and adult accredited witnesses present."

The incident was immediately reported to police, ATP, LTA, LTA Safeguarding, LTA Disciplinary, Tennis Australia Integrity, PTPA and tournament management.

West Midlands Police said in a statement: "We received a report of a man being assaulted at a venue in Sir Harrys Road, Birmingham on June 1. No arrests have been made, and enquiries are ongoing."

The Lawn Tennis Association, men's governing body the ATP and Edgbaston Priory Club issued a statement that read: "There is an ongoing investigation being led by Edgbaston Priory Club with support from the ATP and LTA in relation to an incident during the Lexus Birmingham Open on Monday, June 1.

"This incident involves an allegation made against a member of Edgbaston Priory Club staff by a player's coach and is currently being reviewed by an investigating officer."

Nearly one week after the alleged assault happened, McCabe shared the current condition of his father.

"Medically, this has been really serious," said McCabe. "My dad has previous C5/C6 cervical spine surgery. Since the incident, he has had severe neck pain, reduced arm movement, numbness and pins and needles, vomiting, dizziness, loss of consciousness, ambulance attendance and repeated hospital care.

"Thankfully, the CT and X-ray ruled out the most urgent bony injuries, which is a relief. But he still has severe pain, reduced arm movement and neurological-type symptoms. The concern now is soft-tissue injury, shoulder injury, muscle spasm, nerve irritation or cervical/nerve involvement.

"What is hardest to understand is that after a reported assault at a professional ATP Challenger event, my dad was not properly assessed by the on-site tournament doctor," McCabe continued. "From our perspective, there was no proper support from the ATP, LTA or the venue when he clearly needed medical help.

"This happened inside an accredited professional tennis environment, involving an accredited player and his coach. We believe the ATP, LTA and venue need to explain how this was allowed to happen, why proper medical support was not provided immediately, and why my dad ended up needing an ambulance and hospital care."

Paramedics attended Patrick McCabe before visiting the hospital.

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McCabe said police enquiries are ongoing and that further medical records, video evidence and witness/CCTV information have now been submitted. The allegations remain subject to investigation, and a court has made no finding.

"The ball kids were not being threatened by us," McCabe said. "They are part of the tournament environment and were around players throughout the event. The real question is why a staff member followed us for around 50 metres while we were trying to leave, and why physical force was then used at the doorway.

"Police have been updated, and evidence has been submitted, including medical records and video evidence. We are not asking people to jump to conclusions before the police finish their work. We are asking for the full CCTV, witness evidence, medical evidence and staff account to be reviewed properly."

The unexpected incident has taken a toll on McCabe's tennis, despite defeating top seed Martin Damm Jr. in the second round of qualifying from a set down. The alleged assault occurred just one hour before stepping out on court.

"I had a professional match shortly afterwards, and I was visibly shaken," the world No.234 said. "You can hear it in my voice. Adult witnesses were trying to calm me down and telling me to report it straight away. I did report it, and right now my priority is my dad's health and making sure the evidence is handled properly."

The 22-year-old has since had to miss a flight to Amsterdam to compete in an ATP 250 event, but recently landed in the Dutch capital.

However, McCabe confirmed to The First Serve that he will enter his first match without any practice.

Tennis Australia Integrity is now involved, with Dan Stuk, Paul Kilderry and Nicole Kriz supporting from a welfare and integrity perspective.

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