Australia’s Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt was fined for two weeks and $30,000 (£14,600) after being found guilty of doping control officers.
Hewitt pushed for a 60-year-old volunteer anti-doping partner after losing the semifinals of the Australian Davis Cup semifinal in Malaga, Spain last November.
The two-time Grand Slam singles champion was charged for offensive behavior against doping control officials.
He denied the allegation, which was brought by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), reviewed video evidence, witness statements and interviews – and cited self-defense.
However, ITIA confirmed Wednesday that an independent court upheld the charges and said the 44-year-old’s move “not in line with self-defense” and that the driving force “was too strong or too strong, too excessive or disproportionate.”
From September 24 to October 7, Hewitt will be banned from participating in “all tennis-related activities”.
He will be able to host the Belgian Australian captain in the second round of Davis Cup qualifiers in Sydney from September 13 to 14.
Court President Michael Heron said they do not want to suspend “too punishment” for Hewitt by affecting his Davis Cup schedule.
Hewitt won the U.S. Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002, and he could appeal the decision, but ITIA said it has not yet filed an appeal.
“Anti-doping personnel play a fundamental role behind the scenes in maintaining the integrity of tennis and they should be able to play their role without worrying about physical contact,” ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse said in a statement.
“In this case, the line has clearly crossed and we have no choice but to act.”
