Lleyton Hewitt has threatened to sue the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for allegedly damaging his reputation.
According to a report in today's Daily Telegraph, Hewitt's legal team told the ATP they will sue for $1.5 million unless they drop a fine imposed on him for failing to do a television interview last year.
Hewitt alleges the ATP breached its contract with him and defamed him in media statements. He also claims the ATP "intentionally and without justification" interfered in his business affairs by withholding part of his prizemoney.
Hewitt's lawyers said they would begin proceedings in the South Australian Supreme Court in June unless the matter can be resolved privately.
Hewitt (22) was fined $106,000 for failing to attend a television interview before a match in Cincinnati last year. The fine was reduced to $20,000 on appeal in January.