Tennis chiefs have agreed to set up an “integrity unit” to combat betting-related corruption, it emerged on Tuesday as British number one Andy Murray fuelled suspicions that match-fixing is rife.
Tennis’s main organisations — the International Tennis Federation, the Grand Slam Committee and the men’s (ATP) and women’s (WTA) tours — are close to forming a new unit, said ATP’s executive chairman Etienne de Villiers.
“We see the establishment of a dedicated global Tennis Integrity Unit as a key priority for the sport and plans to create one are well advanced,” de Villiers said.
“We have had a number of very constructive meetings on the issue this year and will be meeting again this week, with external experts, to discuss the next steps in ensuring a unit becomes a reality as soon as possible.”
The ATP is still investigating irregular betting patterns regarding a surprise defeat suffered by top Russian player Nikolai Davydenko in a tournament at Sopot, Poland, in August.
Bone of contention
The match, which attracted seven million dollars in bets, ten times the usual amount, was won by Argentina’s Martin Vassallo Arguello 2-6, 6-3, 2-1 with Davydenko retiring with a foot injury. Bookmakers refused to pay out after it emerged that significant bets were laid on a Vassallo victory after Davydenko won the first set.
Murray on Tuesday suggested that the fixing of match results was a well-known phenomenon in the sport.
“It is pretty disappointing for all the players, but everyone knows that it goes on,” Murray said.
Top stars like Murray scarcely need the money reportedly on offer from crooked betting rings, but the Scot understands why some journeyman players might be tempted.
Since the investigation into the Davydenko match was launched, a number of other players have revealed that they have been approached to throw matches.
Gilles Elseneer claimed he was offered 100,000 Euros to lose first-round at Wimbledon 2005 while fellow Belgian Dick Norman revealed he has been asked to provide in-depth information on other players’ fitness.
