ITIA received a total of 38 alerts from the regulated betting industry through its Memoranda of Understanding. Among these alerts, four were from major championships – two from Wimbledon and two from the US Open.
The ATP Challenger had the highest number of alerts, with 13 reported. The M25 Men’s World Tennis Tour had nine alerts, while the M15’s Tour and the W15 Women’s World Tennis Tour had seven and two alerts respectively. The Davis Cup, ATP World Tour 250, and the W80 Women’s World Tennis Tour each had one alert.
It is important to note that an alert does not necessarily indicate match fixing. Unusual betting patterns can occur due to various factors such as incorrect odds-setting, well-informed betting, player fitness, fatigue or form, playing conditions, and personal circumstances.
ITIA’s annual report will provide a more comprehensive analysis. However, it is cautioned that drawing conclusions about corruption across the tennis ‘pyramid’ should be done with care, as there are significantly more matches at the lower levels.
Aside from the alerts, ITIA imposed bans on tennis players during this period. This includes bans given to Hichem Yasri from Algeria and Mauricio Echazu Puente from Peru.
