The second half of the tennis season usually brings rivalries, rankings drama, and a whole lot of tension. But this time, the headlines haven’t come from the court, they’ve come from the courtroom! Two-time Davis Cup champion and Australian team captain Lleyton Hewitt has landed himself in hot water with the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). And the punishment? Let’s just say it stings.

On September 10, the ITIA confirmed Hewitt has been hit with a two-week suspension and a AU$30,000 fine. The ruling came after an independent tribunal reviewed his case under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP). This wasn’t your usual failed test story. Instead, it was about what happens when you cross the line with doping officials. Hewitt found out the hard way.

It all dates back to November 23, 2024, right after Australia’s Davis Cup semifinal loss to Italy in Malaga, Spain. According to the ITIA, Hewitt shoved a 60-year-old volunteer chaperone during the post-match chaos. He was officially charged on January 6, 2025, with breaching Article 7.15.1.1 of the TADP: “engaging in offensive conduct towards a doping control official.” That charge alone speaks volumes about how seriously tennis treats these infractions.

Hewitt didn’t take the accusation lying down. He pleaded not guilty, claiming the push was self-defense. The ITIA dug in, pulling video evidence, witness statements, and interviews to back their case. Things escalated from there, and the matter landed in the hands of Sport Resolutions, with the independent tribunal chaired by Michael Heron KC. Suddenly, Hewitt wasn’t just defending his legacy on the tennis court—he was defending it in a courtroom showdown.

The process stretched months, with Hewitt requesting time extensions, traveling, demanding to cross-examine witnesses, and insisting on appearing in person. The hearing finally took place in Sydney on July 21–22, 2025, after two earlier online sessions on June 2 and July 15 to accommodate witness testimony.  In the end, the ruling went against him.  His suspension is set for 24 September to 7 October and bars him from all tennis activity. From coaching and mentoring to playing, captaincy, and beyond.

In her statement, ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse stressed the vital role anti-doping staff play, noting, “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.” She added, “In this case, that line was clearly crossed, and we had no other option but to take action.”

While Hewitt serves his two-week suspension off the court, the Davis Cup rolls on—and this year, the team he wanted didn’t exactly play out the way he hoped.

Lleyton Hewitt’s 2025 Davis Cup team comes under injury drama!

Back in January, Hewitt rolled out his squad: de Minaur, Thompson, Kokkinakis, and Kyrgios. But things have shuffled since. The First Serve reports world No. 66 Aleksandar Vukic joins de Minaur for singles, while Matthew Ebden and John Peers step in for Kyrgios and Thompson, who’s unfortunately out of the competition.

Injury hasn’t stopped Kokkinakis from tagging along to Sweden. After a tough Australian Open loss to Jack Draper, he admitted, “My shoulder was gone before the match. I just tried to tough it out. I was touch-and-go again to play this week. Took a million painkillers to try and get through.” Whether he bounces back fully is anyone’s guess.

The revamped Aussie team for the September 13-14 Davis Cup qualifier against Belgium features de Minaur, Popyrin, Thompson, and Ebden. Hewitt still calls the shots as captain. Ebden’s got serious experience with 15 nominations, while Popyrin’s rising star shines bright, hitting a career-high No. 19. De Minaur, a top 10 talent, leads the pack with strong form.

Although Hewitt can still steer the team this year, he will be sidelined just after the qualifiers, Round 2 on September 13-14, due to his suspension. He’ll return in time if they make the finals on November 23. What’s your take on this situation? Drop your thoughts below!