Lleyton Hewitt, the former world number one and current captain of the Australian Davis Cup team, got a two-week ban. He is on the hook for a separate $30,000 fine for “non-sportsmanlike behaviour” stemming from an encounter in which he accosted a 60-year-old anti-doping chaperone. An independent tribunal has already found Hewitt liable. He shoved the Australian chaperone after Australia’s defeat against Italy in those semi-finals of 2024 Davis Cup in Malaga.
The most concerning part of this situation is that it took place in a busy tunnel after the game, when both Hewitt and the chaperone collided. While Hewitt denied the accusation and argued self-defense, the court determined that his conduct was “disproportionate and unreasonable.” Tribunal also came under fire for the type of interaction that raised a lot of alarm about player behavior.
Regardless of the outcome, Hewitt will captain Australia in this weekend’s second-round qualifying tie against Belgium on home soil in Sydney. His suspension begins with games on September 24, ending on October 7. For the entirety of this period he is not allowed to take part in any of the city’s municipal governance work. This timing allows him to complete any captain duties before serving his penalty.
Two-thirds of the fine levied against Hewitt should be paid to the chaperone, the tribunal ordered. This payment is intended as compensation for the emotional distress, pain and suffering, and humiliation resulting from the incident. This condemnation shows an attempt to mitigate the effects Hewitt’s actions had on the individual she harmed.
He expressed sincere remorse for the incident, especially considering in the wake of these developments. He insisted that he bears no ill will to the chaperone. His failures were indeed tragic and did not represent his values or professional integrity. During his remarkable 25-year career, Hewitt was nominated by his peers three times as the ultimate professional exemplifying professionalism and dedication to the sport of tennis.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) had sought a harsher penalty at the start of the disciplinary proceedings. They recommended a four-week suspension in addition to the fine of $25,000 – about $37,500 AUD. Nevertheless, the tribunal decided to impose a lesser sanction. Hewitt’s legal team has already signaled intentions to appeal the verdict, meaning this issue may not be settled just yet.
In readiness for Belgium match, Hewitt has made seven changes to his squad. He summoned Rinky Hijikata and reintroduced Alex Vukic and John Peers. He further lamented the loss of Australian No. 2 Alexei Popyrin and doubles specialist Matt Ebden for this vital tie in Sydney. These changes are indicative of Hewitt’s proactive master planning after facing natural disasters.
Hewitt’s leadership in this dangerous circumstance will be one to watch as Australia seeks to move forward in the ambitious Davis Cup. He will need to play this difficult hand with great deftness. Maintaining high team morale will be imperative in the days leading up to the tie.
