Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt on his appeal for a two-week ban. Photo credit: Reuters
(The Post News) – Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt will appeal a two-week suspension after a tribunal ruling by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) found him guilty of pushing a 60-year-old anti-doping official.
The incident took place last November following Australia’s Davis Cup semi-final defeat to Italy. He received a fine of A$30,220.
According to the SEN, Hewitt said, “I’m very disappointed with the ruling as well as the overall handling of the matter, especially the lack of factual information presented.” “I will be pursuing an appeal with my legal team, so I won’t comment further on it.
He continued to say his legal representatives are managing the process. “Unlike the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) and ITFO, I won’t allow this to become a distraction for the Davis Cup.” Hewitt’s suspension, set to run from September 24 to October 7, bars him from all tennis-related duties, including coaching, mentoring, competing, and his captaincy role.
He stressed that he would not allow the matter to overshadow Australia’s Davis Cup clash against Belgium this weekend, saying, “unlike the ITIA and ITF (International Tennis Federation).” The former Wimbledon and US Open winner confirmed that John Peers, Aleksandar Vukic, and newcomer Rinky Hijikata have been selected for the Australian squad, while Alexei Popyrin and Matt Ebden are sidelined with injuries.
“I am really thrilled for Rinky, it’s his first chance to represent Australia in the green and gold, and to do it in Sydney, the city where he grew up, makes it even more special,” Hewitt said.
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