Murray calls for harsh justice

WORLD No.1 Andy Murray has called for severe punishment to be meted out for those engaged in tennis corruption as Novak Djokovic describes Australian Open junior champion Oliver Anderson’s alleged involvement in match-fixing as “very disappointing”.

Murray said the lower levels of professional tennis – Challengers and Futures tournaments – were more liable to infiltration by crooks because of the temptation for players to make easy money compared to the ATP World Tour and grand slams.

“I think even futures level pretty much all matches are streamed online now. People can bet on any level of tennis,” the Scot said.

“That’s obviously going to create problems, especially when the lowest level of the game prize money is ... you’re making $700, $800 maybe to win an event.

“I don’t know the exact figures, but I’m imagining if you’re fixing a match you’re going to make significantly more than that.

“So when you have a tour that works the way that ours does, there is always potential for that to happen.

“Yeah, can be tough. Thankfully I wasn’t there for many years. I managed to get out of the futures level quite fast. Some players are at futures and challengers for a very long time.”

Murray said the fact “people are caught and charged, I see that as being a positive thing”.

“If it’s going on and nothing is happening about it, that’s much worse for the future of the sport,” he said. “So, if it’s happening, there should be the most severe punishments for whoever is involved in it.

“For stuff like that you have to have the most severe punishments, otherwise people are going to continue doing it.”

Reigning Australian Open champion Djokovic said he was saddened by reports linking Anderson to alleged match-fixing at Traralgon in October.

“Very disappointed. Very disappointing to hear, that, especially considering the fact that he’s young and won the junior grand slam,” Djokovic said after reaching the Qatar ExxonMobil Open semis.

“Obviously the quality is there and the potential is there.

“I don’t understand why he has (allegedly) done it. Again, everybody has their own reasons. They behave the way they think is best for them at the certain moment.

“Everybody makes mistakes. I hope he’s going to learn from that.”

Anderson’s family revealed on Thursday night he is co-operating with a Victoria Police investigation.

Murray and Djokovic remain on course for a seasonopening showdown after they both reached the last four in Doha. Djokovic was the first to advance, compiling an impressive 6-3 6-3 win in demanding conditions over Czech Radek Stepanek.

Djokovic will play Fernando Verdasco for a place in the final after the Spaniard eliminated hobbling Croat Ivo Karlovic 6-2 7-5.