Lleyton Hewitt press conference, suspended for offensive conduct, anti-doping volunteer

Australian tennis great Lleyton Hewitt has sought legal action to appeal a two-week ban and a $30,000 fine over "offensive conduct" towards a 60-year-old anti-doping volunteer.

Hewitt was found guilty by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) of pushing a 60-year-old volunteer following Australia's Davis Cup semi-final defeat against Italy late last year.

Hewitt denied the charge, citing self-defence, but independent tribunal chair, Michael Heron KC, rejected the 44-year-old's claim and ruled his behaviour was "not reasonable and proportionate".

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A statement released by the ITIA on Wednesday night also addressed the delay in reaching a final verdict, explaining that the tribunal worked to accommodate Hewitt's requests for an extended and in-person hearing in Sydney in July.

The ruling means Australia's Davis Cup captain will be completely sidelined from all tennis duties between September 24 and October 7.

He is still allowed to captain Australia against Belgium in the team's upcoming match in Sydney this weekend.

But Hewitt is determined to get the ban overturned.

"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 reporters at a press conference on Thursday ahead of the Davis Cup tie.

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

Hewitt declined to detail his version of the incident.

Watch Australia's Davis Cup tie against Belgium live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Hewitt insisted he is not going to allow the looming ban distract him from his duties with the Australian team, nor would he allow the players to lose focus due to the situation.

He then confirmed neither he nor the team had considered that he should step aside as captain for this week's match against Belgium.

"This competition means too much," Hewitt said.

"As I said, for us to get the opportunity to come back here three-and-a-half years later to play in Australia on home soil, so many young kids with the opportunity to see their role models, and especially Alex [de Minaur], up close, a top 10 player playing on his home court here in front of his home crowd.

"There's too many great stories and positives to take away from this weekend and what we're trying to do. I think deep down it will just make the boys even stronger to go out there and get the job done."

ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse strongly condemned Hewitt's actions in the Wednesday night statement.

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

"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."

Hewitt is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

The Wimbledon and US Open champion was previously the youngest man in history to become world No.1 at 20.

However, the fiery competitor's outstanding career was also defined by several on-court controversies.

Australia's Davis Cup team will begin its battle against Belgium on Saturday, September 13 at Ken Rosewall Arena.

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