Novak Djokovic branded as “absurd” reports in an Italian newspaper that he deliberately lost a match against Fabrice Santoro at the 2007 Paris Masters.
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Novak Djokovic has denied a claim made in the Italian media that he threw a game in 2007.
A spokesperson said: “AWC members are committed to continuing to work collaboratively with sports control bodies and officials to encourage high standards of probity and integrity across all sporting codes”.
A joint investigation by the BBC and Buzzfeed News has claimed tennis authorities failed to act upon repeated warnings regarding match-fixing involving a number of players on the professional circuit.
“One has to be careful, you can’t just write any old thing, you have to have proof”, Santoro, now a commentator, said.
It leaves Groth, the 28-year-old who boasts the fastest serve on the planet, bidding to become the first Australian to beat Murray in a tour match since August 2005, when the Scot, still sporting his frazzled, curly hair and a spindly frame, lost to world number 284 Paul Baccanello in Vancouver.
“Until somebody comes out with the real proof and evidence (of match-fixing), it’s only speculation”.
“What is there to say?”
Konta and Watson are likely to be handed the two singles spots next month for Britain’s Europe/Africa Zone Group I matches against Georgia and South Africa but the doubles team is less clear-cut.
According to an article by Simon Cox of the BBC, “Over the last decade, 16 players who have ranked in the top 50 have been repeatedly flagged to the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) over suspicions they have thrown matches”.
Federer was among the first to demand more information.
“But, you know, it is what it is and we expected it. When we heard the story would come out, we all expected questions from you guys”.
The players told the AP they have known the issue existed but doubt any top players have been involved.
Djokovic, who won three grand slams amongst his 11 titles last year, is also not afraid to play on a big stage having dominated the men’s game over the last five years.
Eaton said tennis was the third most popular sport, behind football and cricket, for betting worldwide “and as a direct outcome it is third in the magnitude of identified suspicious matches”.
BuzzFeed and the BBC didn’t reveal the names of the athletes identified in the leaked documents as suspected fixers, but according to the Telegraph, the evidence submitted to the committee could include those names, and it’s possible those athletes could be outed under parliamentary privilege over the course of a hearing.
“I answered that question the other day”, he said when the subject was broached. He also reiterated tennis’ zero-tolerance stance on match fixing. “I think it’s just absurd”.
“It’s the least I expect to be in the third round of a Slam, so I’m pumped up, playing well, feeling good”, Federer said.
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“It doesn’t matter how much money you pump into the system, there’s always going to be people approaching players, or people, in any sport”.
