Lleyton Hewitt’s father has launched a strong attack on the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) following his son’s ban and fine for pushing a 60-year-old anti-doping volunteer.
The ITIA handed Lleyton a two-week suspension and fined him $30,000 earlier this month, after he was charged on January 6 for “engaging in offensive conduct towards a doping control official”.
The incident allegedly took place at the end of Australia’s Davis Cup semi-final against Italy last November. Hewitt denied the charge but chose not to appeal, and the ban began on September 24.
The Australian Davis Cup captain was allowed to lead the team in its second-round clash with Belgium in Sydney, which they lost 3-2, prior to the ban.
With the ban now in effect, his father and former footy player, Glynn Hewitt, released a scathing statement via his legal team, WRP Legal, criticising the International Tennis Federation (ITF)
“The ITF is a member of the ITIA, has representation on its board, requested attendance at the ‘independent’ tribunal and supplied witnesses for them,” the statement read.
“It is well known that the ITF have been unhappy with Lleyton’s criticism of their management of the Davis Cup competition,” he continued.
“From selling the rights to the company of a soccer player, completely changing the format, to them entering into an arrangement which allowed the company out of the deal.
“Their conduct changed the Davis Cup, built up over 100 years, to a shambolic example of its former self.
“The ITIA’s sole objective was to have Lleyton banned from performing his role as Davis Cup captain and to that extent they failed.”
The Davis Cup, historically one of the most respected competitions in international sport, began in 1900 and has featured many past champions.
Its format changed in 2018, with home ties scrapped, more teams added, and the finals moved to a single European location.
Hewitt is one of the critics of these changes, alongside Roger Federer and Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association.
Glynn Hewitt said they did not appeal due to “a total lack of trust in the process” and requested any fines go to the Ken McGregor Tennis Foundation, a request the ITIA did not accept.
While suspended, Hewitt cannot coach, mentor, play or take part in any tennis-related activities.
“Anti-doping personnel play a fundamental role behind the scenes in upholding the integrity of tennis,” ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse said.
“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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