THE SCOOP: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY, 15

ATP, Hewitt mysteriously close case of fine and appeal

By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net

Siggi Bucher

FROM THE SIEBEL OPEN IN SAN JOSE, CALIF. – An ATP Tour Appeals Committee has concluded its finding regarding No. 1-ranked Lleyton Hewitt's appeal of a $103,000 fine he was given in Cincinnati in August 2002 for refusing to participate in an interview with host broadcasters ESPN.

However, what was resolved is still a mystery, since neither side will speak in depth about it.

"The matter is now concluded," the Hewitt and the ATP said in a joint statement. "The ATP and Hewitt do not plan to release any further information regarding this internal matter, consistent with past practices regarding STARS program appeals. With the committee's decision behind us, we look forward to focusing on the 2003 season."

Last summer, Hewitt accused the ATP of lying about the matter and said he might reduce his schedule this year.

"When things happen like in Cincinnati, when you think about the way everything has been run, it's just not much fun," said Hewitt last summer. He who added that he might not follow the rules about how many tournaments a player is obliged to compete in and could ignore the importance of the No. 1 ranking. "There are times when you feel like (walking away) … it is a great sport if the ATP would just get out of the way."

Hewitt hasn't played a regular tour event since losing in the fourth round of the Australian Open to Younes El Aynaoui and isn't scheduled to play again until March 10, when he attempts to defend his title at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, Calif.

Last summer, ATP CEO Mark Miles implied that Hewitt's fine would probably will be reduced on appeal.

"Everyone takes Lleyton's comments in context that he's angry at the tour right now, but hopefully he won't be as mad once the dust settles," said Miles last summer. "The interview needed to get done. Sports is a very competitive marketplace and we need our players to be accessible to the public through the media. The tour has a set of expectations we expect to be met. The STARS program rule that passed by the player's council was designed by the players because most players believe it is their responsibility to promote the sport."