Former No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt suspended and fined for 'offensive conduct'

Lleyton Hewitt is not an active tennis player anymore, but he is still a professional in the world of tennis, which means he is subject to certain rules.

Hewitt is a former ATP world No. 1 player and a two-time singles Grand Slam champion. He retired from his singles playing career in 2016 and played his last doubles match in 2020. It didn't take long after the end of his singles career before the Australian moved on from player to coach, or better said, captain.

He became Australia's Davis Cup captain after ending his singles career and has led the team ever since. Most recently, Australia beat Sweden 3-1 in the first round of the 2025 Davis Cup Qualifiers with Hewitt on the bench.

Before that tie, Australia played the 2024 Finals. They beat the USA in the quarter-finals before losing to Italy 0-2. Matteo Berrettini beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in an epic three-setter before Jannik Sinner outplayed Alex de Minaur.

The tie was played at the Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga, Spain, on November 23rd, and that was also the day when Hewitt did something that doesn't belong in the world of professional sports.

After Australia's loss to Italy, the team captain was likely frustrated, and he pushed a 60-year-old volunteer anti-doping official, which was noted as an "offensive conduct towards a doping control official." Hewitt initially denied the accusations, saying it was in self-defence.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) reviewed the available video footage and interviewed the witnesses. The case was also sent to an independent tribunal, convened by Sport Resolutions, and chaired by Michael Heron KC.

Hewitt's hearing took place in Sydney on July 21st and 22nd, with two additional online sessions scheduled for June 2nd and July 15th. On August 4th, Michael Heron concluded that Hewitt's behavior "did not meet the requirements of self-defence." He also stated that the team captain's act was "not reasonable and proportionate."

As a result of his conduct, Hewitt was suspended for two weeks and was given a AU$30,000 fine. His two-week suspension could have been a problem for Australia's Davis Cup team, but the ITIA chose an effective date that won't collide with the 44-year-old's plans, which might be a questionable move in the eyes of some.

Australia is set to play Belgium in the second round of the 2025 Davis Cup Qualifiers on September 12th and 13th. However, Hewitt's suspension, which runs from September 24th until October 7th, will not impact him as the country's team captain.

Karen Moorhouse, CEO of the ITIA, spoke about the case, explaining that, given their goal of ensuring personnel safety, they had to take action.