Lleyton Hewitt Suspended for Incident with Anti-Doping Official
The renowned tennis player Lleyton Hewitt, winner of two Grand Slam titles, has been suspended for two weeks due to an incident with an anti-doping official. The sanction, imposed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), will be in effect from September 25 to October 7. This time window has been established to avoid affecting Hewitt’s Davis Cup schedule. The incident occurred in November of last year. Hewitt, in his role as captain of the Australian team, pushed a 60-year-old volunteer in charge of doping control, after his team’s defeat in the semi-final against Italy. Hewitt initially denied the accusation, claiming self-defense. However, the ITIA reviewed video evidence, witness statements, and conducted interviews, which led to charges being filed.In addition to the suspension, Hewitt, 44, and former world number one in tennis, will have to pay a fine of approximately $20,000. During the suspension period, Hewitt will not be able to participate in any tennis-related activities, including training, mentoring, playing, and captaining. Australia will face Belgium on September 13 and 14 in Sydney, in a crucial match for a place in the Davis Cup Finals quarter-finals. Hewitt, who conquered the US Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002, has the right to appeal the decision.The independent tribunal determined that Hewitt’s actions “did not meet the requirements of self-defense” and that his behavior “was not reasonable or proportionate.”
Independent Tribunal
