In professional tennis there is a big problem with game and betting manipulation, especially in the lower class. This is the result of a report published in London on Wednesday. According to this, tournaments below the ATP and WTA tour are particularly affected, especially in the men’s area. According to the report, there is a “serious integrity problem” there.
The Independent Investigation Commission (IRP) was established in January 2016 after the BBC and Buzzfeed reported that top players, including Grand Slam winners, were involved in game manipulation. Moreover, evidence is said to have been suppressed.
However, the committee, which spoke to over 100 players, betting providers and external experts, found no evidence of this. Widespread problems at Grand Slams or the more lucrative ATP and WTA events could not be detected. According to the BBC, the investigation cost almost 23 million euros.
However, the committee noted that previous investigations by the associations had in part been “inadequate” and “ineffective”. Moreover, the current measures are not suitable for dealing with the scale of the problem.
The Commission also published proposals in its report to make game and betting manipulation more difficult. Among other things, live results services from under-class tournaments will no longer be sold to make Internet betting on these games more difficult.
In addition, the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) is to be completely restructured and better equipped both in terms of personnel and finances. The committee also demanded that betting providers should no longer act as tennis sponsors in the future.
The study also identified some of the main reasons why the problem occurs mainly at the lower level. It is relatively easy to cheat, since only one person has to “act”. Also, only 250 to 350 of about 15,000 registered tennis professionals worldwide are able to play cost-covering on the tour.