Pierce Will Get Court Order to Enforce Ban on Her Father

Mary Pierce, who dropped her father as tennis coach a week ago, will go to court for a restraining order to enforce the ban against him attending tour events, a tournament promoter said Tuesday.

Pierce, ranked 14th in the world, is scheduled to file documents in San Diego County Superior Court in nearby Vista today after arriving at La Costa to prepare for the Mazda Classic, said Raquel Giscafre, co-promoter of the tournament.

Giscafre attempted to obtain the restraining order on Pierce’s behalf Tuesday, but said she was told the player must appear in court herself.

“The papers are ready. It should be a simple operation,” Giscafre said. “This is just added protection.”

Jim Pierce, known for unruly behavior while watching his daughter play, was banned from the tour for two years after a disturbance May 28 at the third round of the French Open.

His daughter announced she was dropping him as coach last Wednesday during an exhibition at Mahwah, N.J. She also had obtained a restraining order against her father there, Giscafre said.

Having a new coach should improve Pierce’s play, said former tennis great Chris Evert in a conference call Tuesday.

“I think in her mind, she can have a lot more peace right now,” said Evert, now a television commentator. “She has a lot of potential, but she hasn’t been coached very well.”