Three of the biggest names in men’s tennis has spoken out against corruption in the sport after the current Australian Open boys champion was found guilty of match-fixing.
18-year-old Oliver Anderson was charged by police on Thursday regarding an alleged fixed match at a Challenger tournament in Traralgon last October. Anderson will appear in court on March 2nd and faces a potential lifetime ban from the sport if he is found guilty.
Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has called for stricter punishment for those who take part in match-fixing. Speaking to media in Doha, the world No. 1 acknowledged that there is a problem in the lower level tournaments with players being tempted to earn more money.
“I think even futures level pretty much all matches are streamed online now. People can bet on any level of tennis,” Murray said.
“That’s obviously going to create problems, especially when the lowest level of the game prizemoney 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.”
Last October the European Sports Security Association (ESSA) reported that 84% of suspicious betting cases occurred in tennis during the third quarter of 2016. It was the seventh consecutive time that tennis has dominated the ESSA’s quarterly reports since 2015.
The finding comes after a joint report from the BBC and Buzzfeed news alleged widespread match-fixing 12 months ago, an allegation that has been denied by officials. Since the report, tennis has been dogged by allegations and concerns over the issue. Murray has said that only a tough approach will prevent the problem.
“For stuff like that you have to have the most severe punishments, otherwise people are going to continue doing it.” Murray stated.
Novak Djokovic has also supported Murray’s condemnation. Speaking about Andersons’ sentence, the Serbian admitted that he was disappointed to hear what has happened to a rising star in the men’s game.
“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.”
Last summer the Independent Review Panel was created to investigate corruption and anti-corruption practices in tennis. All four governing bodies in tennis (ITF, ATP, WTA and Grabnd Slam Board) have pledged to implement the findings of the panel, with the first part set to be published next month.
Reluctantly addressing match-fixing, nine-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal acknowledges that the cases are damaging his sport, but has defended its integrity.
“I don’t see matches that people give up or throw the match, you know. Maybe the lower tournaments, maybe is another story, but I don’t want to talk about it, because I really don’t know much.” He said.
“I see every (ATP Tour) match people fight, you know, people don’t want to lose.”
A recent report by 7news alleges that criminal gangs are targeting young players to take part in corruption. One police source said gangs are trying to befriend the players via recreational drug services.
Authorities are fighting back. This year’s Australian Open will see a record prize money of $50 million. The 14% increase was done with a move to support lower ranked players and deter them from corruption.
“Our sport needs strong measures implemented now and that’s exactly what we are doing. We have committed significant funds and resources into strengthening our position now so that we don’t look back in five years and think we could have done more.” Tennis Australia said in December.
The Australian Open will start on January 16th.
