AN ex-Wimbledon champion has been banned by tennis’ anti-doping agency after SHOVING a 60-year-old volunteer.
He was also slapped with a £14,600 fine for his behaviour.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency charged Australia’s Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt on January 6 for pushing the anti-doping chaperone volunteer.
The incident took place on November 23, 2024 following his side’s semi-final defeat to Italy.
And the ITIA confirmed 2002 Wimbledon winner Hewitt, 44, will serve a two-week suspension for breaching Article 7.15.1.1 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme by engaging in offensive conduct towards a doping control official.
Hewitt denied the charge by citing self-defence.
But the ITIA – who banned Iga Swiatek last year – had video evidence, witness statements and interviews to support their case.
It went to an independent tribunal over the summer but chair Michael Heron KC upheld the allegations.
Heron said Hewitt’s actions “did not meet the requirements of self-defence” and that his behaviour was “not reasonable and proportionate.”
Karen Moorhouse, CEO of the ITIA, commented: “Anti-doping personnel play a fundamental role behind the scenes in upholding the integrity of tennis, and they should be able to go about their roles without fear of physical contact.
“In this case, that line was clearly crossed, and we had no other option but to take action.”
Hewitt is prohibited from partaking in any tennis-related activities – including coaching, mentoring, playing, captaincy and other associated roles – during the ban.
He will serve his two-week ban from September 24 to October 7.
Those dates were chosen by Heron to avoid being “unduly punitive” on Hewitt’s Davis Cup schedule.
It also allows time for an appeal to be lodged – although that has not happened at this stage.
Australia face Belgium at home in their second-round qualifiers this weekend.
Their strong team – beaten finalists in 2022 and 2023 – features world No8 Alex De Minaur and world No40 Alexei Popyrin.
The Davis Cup Final 8 will take place in Bologna in November with defending champions Italy and seven qualifying nations.
Hewitt was part of the last Australian team to win the ‘World Cup of tennis’ in 2003, their 28th triumph as a nation, second only to the USA.
Former world No1 Hewitt won the first of his two Grand Slams at the 2001 US Open and racked up more than £15million in career prize money before retiring from singles in 2016.
His son Cruz, 16, is making his way in tennis, playing in all four junior Grand Slams this year and receiving a wildcard into qualifying for the men’s Australian Open.
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