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Is tennis combatting corruption?

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Allegations of corruption cast a dark cloud over tennis in 2007 and it's no surprise the issue will be top of the agenda when WTA chief Larry Scott addresses his players in Australia on Saturday.

Ten players on the ATP tour have publicly stated that they have been approached to throw matches, while Scott says "several" women players have informed him of illegal approaches.

Scott also suspects that organised crime, including the Russian mafia, could be involved in trying to fix matches.

How concerned are you about corruption in tennis?

Are you satisfied that enough is being done to combat the problem?

While Scott is open to the threat, he insists: "We've got no proof of corruption having taken place, so I don't believe there is any corruption in women's tennis now."

Does this reassure you?

The men's and women's tours joined forces with the ITF and organisers of the four Grand Slams earlier this week to announce a review of anti-doping policies in the sport.

Scott says this could lead to a joint unit across the sport with "policing and investigative powers" which could lead to prosecutions.

There has already been a tightening of procedures in the sport.

The ATP now requires that players must inform them of an illegal approach within 48 hours of it taking place.

Rules on who can access changing rooms have also been tightened.

Do you think enough is being done?

An official from the ICC has told me he thinks cricket is "seven or eight years ahead" of sports such as tennis in its anti-corruption procedures.

Cricket set up a strict code of conduct in the wake of the Hanse Cronje scandal.

Lord Condon heads cricket's anti-corruption unit, there are anti-corruption officers who monitor matches and the use of mobile phones is banned in dressing rooms.

Do you think tennis has been slow to combat the problem of corruption in comparison with cricket?

Let me know your thoughts...




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comment by saint at heart (U9207235)

posted Jan 11, 2008

Tennis is in danger of going the same way as athletics. Both are largely one on one competions, unlike team games like cricket so are far more vulnerable to corruption by drugs or gambling. I fear for the sport.

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comment by tennis-the-menace (U9635481)

posted Jan 11, 2008

"Tennis isn't a minority sport".

Finally!

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comment by showaprofit (U9327549)

posted Jan 11, 2008

Where there is betting there will be corruption. If one tennis player is disqualified the perpertrators will always find another player. If the Russian mafia came to you and said do you want to wake up with a horses head in your bed or do you want to make a bit of money. These chaps can be very persuasive. If the ATP is serious about ridding tennis of corruption they need to go after the gangsters who are behind all this.

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comment by queenrichy7 (U7132136)

posted Jan 11, 2008

the human race is corrupt fullstop

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comment by kingjd1977 (U6763426)

posted Jan 11, 2008

the title of the article reads "Tennis boss warns of mafia threat"
mafia are not known for their good temper or good language skills, lets hope for 'larry wta guys' sake they don't read this as "Tennis boss warns OFF mafia threat"
he could wake up with a horses head next to him or maybe even a submarine.

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comment by Jeffspystone (U6163298)

posted Jan 11, 2008

If everyone thinks it's just tennis! Grow up, they are making fortunes on all sports!!!

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comment by OmniGamessMaster (U10815050)

posted Jan 11, 2008

It's always been amusing to me to observe the many changing faces of sports.

Personally, if I was Nikolai, I'd take the ATP to court for 'invasion of privacy', 'harrassment', 'defamation of character' etc. It seems the pro players on the tour have absulutely no unity or representation, the way the guy has been treated, a bunch of decent gentlemen would stage a walk out and demand an unreserved apology from those in charge.
I watched Nikolai's match at the Paris Masters last year and I was absolutely mortified when the umpire leaned over and said to him in a 'knowing' manner; "just try and get the ball over the net". What a way to treat a player who lives his life in the spotlight, providing entertainment and inspiration to millions of Tennis viewers yearly.

How ironic the views of the WTA and ATP in a society that promotes gambling in all forms as a recreational and moral pastime, then on the other side turns around to talk about the ills of society as being linked to gambling and the craving for money.

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comment by ynwatorres (U8904554)

posted Jan 11, 2008

What dya mean "just tennis". It's a massive sport and corruption is really starting to ruin it.

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