How Two Top 50 Players Accused Of Match-Fixing Have Responded To The Allegations - UBITENNIS
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How Two Top 50 Players Accused Of Match-Fixing Have Responded To The Allegations

The players have been accused of trying to fix matches with a former coach who worked with each of them at some stage.

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Aslan Karatsev - image via https://twitter.com/MallorcaChamps/

On the same day as the men’s Wimbledon final, an investigation published by German publication ZDF accused two top players and a coach of being involved in widespread match-fixing. 

 

Nikolaz Basilashvili and former Australian Open semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev have been accused of breaking anti-corruption rules along with their former Belarussian coach Yahor Yatsyk. According to ZDF, five matches involving Karatsev had unusual betting patterns, two of those occurred when he was working with Yatsyk. The two had previously been questioned by French police over the matter but at present no further action has been taken. Furthermore, Karatsev’s former girlfriend, Sofia Dmitrieva, has already been banned for match-fixing. 

As for Georgia’s Basilashvili, it is claimed that the ITIA is already investigating him. Although this hasn’t been confirmed by the organization. Suspicious betting patterns emerged over a doubles match at Wimbledon he played in 2021 alongside Radu Albot. Albot is not suspected of being involved in match-fixing.

In wake of these serious accusations which in the worst-case scenario could result in a lifetime ban from the sport if found guilty, how have the players and their teams responded? 

Karatsev was questioned about the ZDF article by the media outlet Metaratings.ru. In a very brief response, the world No.40 said he was unaware of the news. However, he didn’t directly comment on those allegations.

“I haven’t heard anything about it. I don’t know what you are talking about,” Karatsev told Metaratings.ru.

There was more of a response given by Karatsev’s father Kazbek who told RIA Novosti that he is aware that Yatsyk was suspected of match-fixing. Although dismissed the idea that his son is also involved by arguing that the two haven’t worked together for over a year. Even though ZDF points out that two suspicious matches involving Karatsev occurred when he was coached by the Belarussian. 

“This is the first time I hear about it. This simply cannot be. I know that Yatsyk was already suspected of fixed matches in 2020. But what about Aslan? They haven’t worked together for over a year,” said Kazbek
“I don’t even know where such information could come from, it became interesting to myself. Maybe some kind of provocation. But Aslan is very calm, he does not bother anyone. I haven’t been able to talk to him about this yet. He has a tournament now, and before the games we usually do not call each other so that he is less worried.”

As for Basilashvili, he said during an interview with Europop.ge that there is no need to comment on what he describes as ‘nonsense.’ Denying that he has been involved in any form of match-fixing. Basilashvili has been ranked as high as 16th in the world and has won five ATP titles. 

“And should I comment on this nonsense? How many times have they written such things about me, have I ever been justified (convicted)?” He said. 

There have also been responses from two tennis federations. The president of the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) Shamil Tarpischev claims if Karatsev had committed any wrongdoing he would have been informed by now. That is disputed as the ITIA doesn’t have to contact a player’s federation during an investigation unless it is relevant to their proceedings. 

Funny situation. If there is something official, then it can be discussed. And so, this is a tabloid chronicle, it’s even ridiculous to discuss, you never know who says what. And besides, this is 2019-2020, if there was something, we would have been informed long ago. And no one told us anything,” Tarpischev told Sport Express. 

Finally, there has been little said from Yatsyk’s camp except that of the Belarussian Tennis Federation who interestingly appear eager to distance themselves from the coach. 

“I would like to note that Yegor Yatsyk, the former mentor of Karatsev, is not a member of the Belarusian Tennis Federation. As a former athlete, I condemn the actions of athletes in any sport related to match-fixing and betting. I share the position of the authorities of all countries in the world that are fighting this evil,” BTF chairman Sergei Rutenko told rt.com

Both Basilashvili and Karatsev are playing this week at the Swedish Open. Basilashvili retired from his first round match after trailing by a set and 0-3 but Karatsev won his encounter with Lorenzo Sonego. 

NOTE: All of the above statements were originally said in the person’s native language and have been translated into English as accurately as possible. 

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Alexander Zverev Deserves More Respect According To Boris Becker

According to Boris Becker, Alexander Zverev deserves more respect from tennis journalists.

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Alexander Zverev (@WeAreTennis - Twitter)

Boris Becker has claimed that Alexander Zverev deserves more respect despite Zverev failing to live up to his potential at Grand Slams.

 

Zverev has only reached one Grand Slam final in his career despite being a regular inside the world’s top ten as well as performing at regular ATP events.

This season Zverev played a limited schedule after recovering from an ankle injury but still managed to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.

However most critics have been loud when judging Zverev’s career as it was looking likely that he would be a regular Grand Slam champion.

The German has failed to live up to expectations but former Grand Slam champion Boris Becker believes Zverev deserves more respect.

Speaking to Eurosport Becker also said that Zverev’s father being the coach is a more than successful approach when it comes to the former US Open finalist’s career, “In my opinion, he doesn’t get enough respect from the tennis experts internationally,” Becker explained.

“They’re all talking about the young three or four, but don’t give Zverev, Medvedev or Rublev enough respect. He’s playing with his fist in his pocket a little bit, wants everyone show that he is not a thing of the past, but that his best time is yet to come.

“Surely his father knows best what is good for his son, but if you look into the box at the competition, you can also see changes.”

Becker has followed Zverev for most of his career so knows that the best is yet to come from the German.

Alexander Zverev will look to prove himself next season when he starts his 2024 season when he represents Germany at the United Cup.

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Juan Carlos Ferrero Analyses Key Areas For Carlos Alcaraz’s Development

Juan Carlos Ferrero has outlined the next steps in Carlos Alcaraz’s development.

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(@tennisnewsbrazil - Twitter)

Carlos Alcaraz’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero has analysed the key areas for the Spaniard’s development heading into the 2024 season.

 

The former world number one’s season has come to an end after a successful year which saw him win the Wimbledon title as well as winning two Masters 1000 titles.

Alcaraz capped off an incredible season by reaching the semi-finals at the Nitto ATP Finals, where he lost to Novak Djokovic.

However there is a long way for the Spaniard to go if he wants to consistently go toe-to-toe with Novak Djokovic.

Speaking to Marca Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero spoke about the Spaniard’s development and said that Alcaraz is too emotional, “Be more regular in games, not open doors. Sometimes there are mistakes and it is something that we have to improve a lot,” Ferrero commented.

“Although it is true that he opens doors, he always competes well and at the highest level. He knows it, the other day he already said that Novak doesn’t give you one. He has to improve his decision making and he will achieve that with experience. Carlos is very emotional and that sometimes helps him and other times not so much.”

It’s clear Alcaraz’s high-quality is there but to consistently do it against Djokovic is another task altogether as the Spaniard looks to go from strength-to strength next season.

One area that is clearly a priority for Alcaraz is physical conditioning especially considering what happened against Djokovic at Roland Garros earlier in the season.

Ferrero said that will be a clear focus heading into 2024 but couldn’t guarantee that Alcaraz will play a tournament before the Australian Open, “Because of the year and the fatigue he has been in, what he needs is rest and disconnecting for 8-10 days with his friends,” Ferrero stated.

“From there, the thinking must go back to working really hard, strong and well to start very strongly in Australia. One can never be sure of that. Sometimes you play a tournament and it doesn’t go well, you left home too early. There are many ways of thinking.

“This year we haven’t played Australia and he finishes number two. That means there is no urgency to play a tournament early. Carlos is a player who enters competition quickly, you don’t usually see him without rhythm.

“Although it is true that he becomes more dangerous from the round of 16, from the quarter-finals. I am confident that the two exhibition matches and the training sessions will help us play a good tournament.”

Alcaraz will be looking to play the Australian Open which starts on the 15th of January after the Spaniard missed last year’s tournament due to a leg injury.

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Australian Open Chief Confident Nadal Will Play But Kyrgios’ Participation Uncertain

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Nadal RG 2022 by Night (foto @RolandGarros)

The tournament director of the Australian Open says he is ‘certain’ that Rafael Nadal will play at the Grand Slam even though the Spaniard has yet to outline his comeback plans. 

 

Craig Tiley told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday he hopes to receive some clarity over Nadal’s intentions in the next couple of weeks but is confident he will play. However, the tennis official had previously claimed in October that the former world No.1 had already committed to play in the event before his team denied that statement.  

Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, hasn’t played a Tour match since his second round defeat at the Australian Open in January due to a hip injury. He was originally expecting to take an eight-week break but the recovery didn’t go to plan and he ended up having surgery. In May he confirmed that he will take an extended break from the sport to heal his body and admitted that retirement next year is a possibility.

“Rafa has been training, I follow him closely, probably every day because he’s a massive drawcard for us,” the Reuters News Agency quoted Tiley as saying. 
“He wants to play, he’s obviously planning on playing. It all depends on how he pulls up.
“Hopefully in the next week or the next two weeks, we get some specific confirmation of that. I’m certain Rafa will be here because he’s not going to want to miss the opportunity to repeat what he did a couple of years ago.”

Earlier this month Nadal confirmed that he intends to return to the Tour but admits that he will continue to experience a degree of pain. Although he has yet to give any information about which tournament he will begin his comeback at. The 2024 season begins during the first week of January.

“I’m well, training, and happy. I’m at a good stage of my life,” atptour.com quoted Nadal as telling reporters in Barcelona.
“Until now I didn’t know if I would play tennis again someday, and now I genuinely believe I will. I’m still not ready to say when, but I’m able to train increasingly longer, and the progress is good.’

Will Kyrgios play?

Another player Tiley is eager to welcome back is home player and former Wimbledon Finalist Nick Kyrgios who has only played one Tour-level match this season due to injury. He underwent knee surgery in January and then tore a ligament in his wrist during the summer. As a result, the Australian currently doesn’t have an ATP ranking due to his inactivity. 

“We have spoken to Nick, and he obviously wants to do the best he possibly can to give him the best chance to play in January,” Tiley said of Kyrgios.
“Whether he’s playing, whether he’s doing something else, Nick will be here in January and to get him to play will be great. But we’ve got to take it as it comes and he’s got to make sure he takes care of his health …” 

Kyrgios recently worked as an analyst for the Tennis Channel during this year’s ATP Finals in Turin and gave a brief update on his ongoing recovery during a segment. 

“After last year, I had such a great year, and I’m so hungry to get back out there,” the 2022 Wimbledon finalist commented.
“So I’m doing everything I can to get back out there. Obviously, you know how injuries are every day, just doing the rehab, doing the gym work.”

The Australian Open will begin on Sunday 14th January. Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka are the defending champions. 

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