Australia Davis Cup Captain Hewitt Suspended Two Weeks for Pushing Anti-Doping Official

Lleyton Hewitt, Australia's Davis Cup captain and former world number one, has been suspended for two weeks and fined AUD 30,000 for offensive conduct after pushing a 60-year-old anti-doping volunteer following Australia's 2024 Davis Cup semi-final loss to Italy in Malaga. Hewitt denied the charge, claiming self-defense due to being bumped and recovering from a medical condition, but an independent tribunal chaired by Michael Heron KC found his actions neither reasonable nor proportionate and upheld the charge. The suspension will run from September 24 to October 7, 2025, deliberately timed to avoid impacting Australia's Davis Cup matches against Belgium on September 13-14, during which Hewitt will continue his captaincy duties. During the suspension, Hewitt is barred from all tennis-related activities, including coaching and mentoring. ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse emphasized the importance of protecting anti-doping personnel from physical contact and stated the action was necessary given the breach. Hewitt has the right to appeal but has not yet submitted one.