Venezuela’s No.2 doubles player has been kicked off of the Tour for more than a decade after admitting to multiple violations of Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP) rules.
Roberto Maytin, who is currently ranked 179th in the world, has been banned for 14 years for a series of offences committed between 2017 and 2018. During that period he played in only two ATP Tour events in Newport and Los Cabos, but was a regular on the lower-level Challenger Tour. He has been fined $100,000 of which $75,000 is suspended.
The 32-year-old broke three TACP rules in total which includes failing to report being approached by somebody to take part in match-fixing and being involved in an attempt to ‘contrive the outcome or any other aspect of any Event.’
“Maytín is now prohibited from playing in, coaching at or otherwise attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the governing bodies of tennis for a period of 14 years from 29 March 2021,” a statement from the International Tennis Integrity Agency reads.
The case was dealt with under the 2021 TACP ‘Proposal for Disposition’ framework. This allows for a sanction to be handed down from the ITIA to the player upon admission of guilt, without the need for a hearing.”
Once a student at Baylor University in Texas, Maytin formed a successful partnership with former world No.2 doubles player John Peers. Together they earned All-American honours with a win-loss of 36-5 and reached the quarter-finals of the 2011 NCAA tournament. He also broke into the top 25 on the junior Tour.
As a professional, the Venezuelan achieved a ranking high of 85 back in 2015 and has won 14 Challenger titles. He has also represented his country in 15 Davis Cup ties but hasn’t played in the tournament since 2019.
Maytin hasn’t played on the Tour for 18 months. Towards the end of 2019 it was confirmed that he was undergoing treatment for testicular cancer with his family setting up a GoFindMe page to help cover the cost of his treatment. A total of $40,000 was raised for him.
As a result of his admission, Maytin has waived the right to a hearing or any appeal.
List of rules breached by Maytin
- Section D.1.d of the 2017 and 2018 TACP: “No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, contrive or attempt to contrive the outcome or any other aspect of any Event.”
- Section D.2.a of the 2017 and 2018 TACP: “In the event any Player is approached by any person who offers or provides any type of money, benefit or Consideration to a Player to (i) influence the outcome or any other aspect of any Event, or (ii) provide Inside Information, it shall be the Player’s obligation to report such incident to the TIU [now ITIA] as soon as possible.”
- Section D.1.f of the 2017 and 2018 TACP: “No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or accept any money, benefit or Consideration with the intention of negatively influencing a Player’s best efforts in any Event.”
