Corrupt betting practices ‘common in tennis’

Tennis provides a “fertile breeding ground” for breaches of integrity and is engulfed in a “tsunami” of betting-related corruption at some lower levels due to online gambling, according to a new report.

The Independent Review of Integrity in Tennis was set up in 2016 following allegations by the BBC and Buzzfeed that leading players were involved in match-fixing and that evidence had been suppressed.

Two years later the review panel, publishing its interim report yesterday, said tennis has a “serious integrity problem”, particularly at the lower levels of the sport where players often struggle to break even, and especially on the men’s circuits.

“‘Tanking’ has been too often tolerated by the authorities”

The panel also found “evidence of some issues” at Grand Slams and Tour events, although it did not uncover evidence of a widespread problem at those higher levels.

It showed no evidence that top-level players were implicated in corruption.

However, it did claim “tanking” – players seemingly giving up during matches – which has been a feature at some high-profile tournaments, has been too often tolerated by the tennis authorities.

The review panel did not find evidence of a cover-up by either the Tennis Integrity Unit or governing bodies.

However, some of the actions taken by the ITF and ATP were “inappropriate or ineffective”.

Among recommendations are the restructuring of the professional game and reducing tournaments deemed “professional”, but where players may actually lose money due to the cost of competing.