Date:19/06/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/06/19/stories/2003061903722000.htm

Sport - Tennis

Hewitt initiates legal action against ATP

Adelaide June 18 . Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt on Wednesday launched legal action against the sport's governing body, the ATP Tour, claiming $1.5 million in damages, his manager said here.

Lawyers for Hewitt lodged papers in the South Australian Supreme Court suing the Association of Tennis Professionals for defamation, Hewitt's manager Rob Aivatoglou said.

The legal action comes just days before the world number two begins the defence of his Wimbledon crown and stems from a long and acrimonious battle between Hewitt and the ATP.

Hewitt is claiming $one million for lost international endorsements and sponsorship contracts, as well as $500,000 for his Australian losses.

It was sparked by an ATP decision to fine Hewitt $103,000 for failing to do a television interview in the lead-up to a U.S. tournament in August last year.

The ATP said Hewitt had breached his contract by failing to do what it said was a compulsory interview, while Hewitt said he had fulfilled all of his contractual requirements.