Former world No 1 Lleyton Hewitt has been fined and handed a suspended ban following an incident at last year’s Davis Cup Finals, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has confirmed.
Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion and current captain of the Australian Davis Cup team, was accused of pushing a 60-year-old volunteer anti-doping chaperone after Australia’s semi-final defeat to Italy in Malaga on November 23, 2024.
The ITIA charged Hewitt on January 6, 2025, with “engaging in offensive conduct towards a doping control officer.”
He denied the charge, arguing he acted in self-defence.
Lleyton Hewitt is currently the captain of the Australia Davis Cup team
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However, after reviewing video evidence, witness statements and interviews, an independent Sport Resolutions tribunal chaired by Michael Heron KC ruled that his actions “did not meet the requirements of self-defence” and were “not reasonable and proportionate.”
Following the ruling on August 4, Hewitt was fined £15,000 (AUD$30,000) and given a two-week suspension from all tennis-related activities.
The ban, however, was deferred until September 24 to avoid immediate disruption to Australia’s Davis Cup campaign and to allow time for a potential appeal.
To date, Hewitt has not lodged one.
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The tribunal hearing took place in Sydney on July 21 and 22, with two additional online sessions held on June 2 and July 15 to accommodate witness testimony.
Hewitt had requested extensions to attend in person, cross-examine witnesses and prepare his defence.
The sanction means that between September 24 and October 7, Hewitt will be prohibited from any role within tennis, including coaching, mentoring, playing and acting as captain.
The decision to delay the suspension was taken, the panel said, to ensure the punishment was not “unduly punitive” by clashing with Australia’s Davis Cup fixtures.
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Lleyton Hewitt won the US Open back in 2001
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The case has cast an unwelcome shadow over Hewitt’s tenure as captain.
The 44-year-old has been credited with reinvigorating Australia’s Davis Cup fortunes since taking charge in 2016, but the ITIA stressed that anti-doping staff must be protected in the course of their duties.
ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse said: “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.”
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Lleyton Hewitt pictured after winning Wimbledon back in 2002
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Australia, who lost to Italy in Malaga last November, face Belgium in a qualifier tie this week. Hewitt is expected to lead the team from the sidelines before his suspension begins.
The sanction marks a rare disciplinary setback for Hewitt, who remains one of Australia’s most decorated players, having won Wimbledon in 2002 and the US Open in 2001.