Lleyton Hewitt Suspended for Assault on Anti-Doping Officer
London – Two-time Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt has been suspended for two weeks after pushing a doping control officer.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Wednesday that the sanction will be in effect from September 25 to October 7, with the aim of not being “unduly punitive” for Hewitt, avoiding affecting his Davis Cup schedule.
The incident occurred in November, after Hewitt, captain of Australia, pushed a 60-year-old volunteer in charge of doping control, after his team’s defeat in the semi-finals against Italy.
Hewitt denied the accusation, which was presented after a review of video evidence, witness statements, and interviews, claiming self-defense.
The ITIA referred the case to an independent tribunal, which upheld the charge of offensive conduct, stating that Hewitt’s actions “did not meet the requirements of self-defense” and that his behavior “was not reasonable or proportionate.”
In addition, Hewitt, 44, and former world number 1 in men’s tennis, was fined approximately $20,000.
During the suspension, Hewitt will not be able to participate in any tennis-related activities, including training, mentoring, playing, and captaincy.
Australia will face Belgium on September 13 and 14 in Sydney, with a place in the Davis Cup quarter-finals at stake.
Hewitt, who won the US Open in 2001 and Wimbledon the following year, has the right to appeal.
