Sony Ericsson WTA Tour CEO Larry Scott was candidly honest on Friday when discussing the possibility of tennis match-fixing, saying that ‘more than a handful’ of players have come to authorities about being asked to throw matches or give insider information.
Although Scott did not disclose the names or rankings of the players involved, he did say that several players have been approached by the gambling industry.
“What is unfortunate is that there have been an awful lot of approaches,” said Scott in an interview published by This is London on Friday.
“We have had quite a few players come to us to let us know that they have been approached and asked to throw a match or for information about form. The revelation this year has been the amount of gambling that is actually happening on tennis and the amount of approaches to players.”
Tatiana Poutchek and Mariya Koryttseva remain the only two named players involved in a suspicious match at the 2007 Sunfeast Open.
For the first time, Scott revealed that several different nations are involved in the investigation, with particular interest being placed on Russia.
“We have got particular concerns about Russia, there’s a lot of activity that comes out of there but it is not the only country,” added Scott.
Fortunately, in light of the situation, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour (unlike the ATP Tour) has been able to speak with their players personally, instead of hearing secondhand reports about players being approached from the press.
“I can only speak for women’s tennis but I don’t think the problem is widespread and would not say that there is a major problem because the players have been very responsible, they have come to us rather than the Press,” continued Scott.
“We are not aware of anyone having fixed a match and in the whole of tennis there is absolutely no proof that it has happened.”
The upcoming season’s first Grand Slam has already taken precautions to help prevent any further gambling crimes. Tab Corp, an Australian state betting agency, has been evicted from the grounds of Melbourne Park.
