Hewitt takes ATP to court

Alex Kirk
Thursday 19 June 2003 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Lleyton Hewitt has launched a defamation action against the Association of Tennis Professionals, the governing body of the men's game.

The 22-year-old Australian, who lost his world No 1 ranking to Andre Agassi last week, is suing the ATP for $1.5m (£890,000), claiming that he was unfairly fined for failing to appear for a US television interview before a tournament in Cincinnati last August.

Hewitt was fined $106,000 by the ATP for allegedly failing to fulfill his TV commitments on 6 August. The fine was reduced to $20,000 on appeal on 14 January and Hewitt maintains he was prepared to do the interview after he had been informed of the possible fine. He said the ATP had unlawfully withheld half his prize money at Cincinnati.

Hewitt announced his intention to sue last month, saying it could only be avoided if the ATP made a public apology and admitted that the fine had been wrongly imposed. The ATP refused.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in