Hewitt's lawyers release new details as appeal process continues

(Getty/Mark Metcalfe)

Lleyton Hewitt's lawyers have issued a statement concerning a two-week ban and hefty fine for pushing a 60-year-old anti-doping official.

The incident occurred in November of last year, following Australia's semi-final loss to Italy in Málaga.

By entering the code TFS2025, you will receive 15% off the RRP on all non-sale items when you shop online at www.racquetworld.com.au

Last week, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that the 44-year-old would still be eligible to captain Australia against Belgium in Sydney for the Davis Cup qualifier that has just passed, as his ban is set to take effect between September 24 and October 7 if his appeal is unsuccessful.

He also copped a $30,000 fine, with Hewitt explaining that he would fight the ruling.

"I'm just really disappointed about the overall decision, but also the whole process, to be honest... even the lack of facts that have been put out," Hewitt told the media last week.

"I'll be going through the appeal process with my legal team, so I won't be talking about it any further."

The First Serve Live every Monday Night with Brett Phillips at 8pm AEST on SEN around Australia, Sport Nation around NZ and worldwide on the SEN App

According to Adelaide law firm WRP Legal, the footage of Hewitt and the anti-doping official was altered.

"The footage appeared to depict [Hewitt] making physical contact with a doping control officer [DCO]," the statement read.

"The incident in question occurred immediately following the second match of the 2024 Davis Cup tie between Australia and Italy. In his capacity as team captain of the Australian team, [Hewitt] exited the court alongside Alex de Minaur, walking through a highly congested tunnel area.

"During this time, a DCO, who never made himself known to either [Hewitt] or Alex de Minaur, made significant contact with [Hewitt], who was recovering from surgery.

"As the DCO attempted to re-approach Alex de Minaur in haste, [Hewitt], perceiving the threat of another imminent collision, reacted by fending the DCO away. Importantly, [Hewitt] did not know who the DCO was or why he was in the tunnel."

After the ITIA's report was released to the public, ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse commented on the sanction.

"Anti-doping personnel play a fundamental role behind the scenes in upholding the integrity of tennis, 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," she said.

Australia failed to qualify for November's Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, suffering a 3-2 defeat to Belgium.

Play USA Tennis Pathways supports athletes who want to go down the college pathway, assisting players to get recruited to a college that meets their academic and athletic goals. If you are a player, parent, or coach and are interested in the college pathway in the United States, contact Lachlan Puyol at playusatennispathways@gmail.com