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Anti-corruption review launched after tennis match-fixing claims

An independent review into anti-corruption practices in tennis has been launched after claims of widespread match-fixing within the sport.

It comes after reports that 16 players who have been ranked in the top 50 had been repeatedly flagged to the sport's watchdog - the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) - over suspicions they had thrown matches in the past decade.

Authorities previously defended the TIU and denied allegations it was under-resourced and did not have necessary enforcement powers.

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Andy Murray says young players need educating about match fixing

Andy Murray during his first round match against Germany's Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open Credit: Jason O'Brien/Reuters

Andy Murray says tennis needs to be more proactive in talking about corruption, and said more needs to be done to warn young players about match fixing.

Speaking after his first round victory in the Australian Open, the world number two said when young players are approached with large sums of money "I think sometimes people can make mistakes".

It should be tennis that does a better job of explaining. They shouldn't have to read it in the press, you have to be proactive with things like this.

You have to go and speak to the players rather than them reading about it in the newspapers or listening to it on the TV or the radio. I think the more proactive you are with educating young players the better.

– Andy Murray, Britain's number one tennis player

Meanwhile Roger Federer has called for "concrete facts", saying he "would love to hear names" of the players allegedly involved in match fixing.

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PM calls for independent probe into elite tennis 'fixing'

David Cameron has called for an independent investigation into the "deeply concerning" allegations of widespread match-fixing in tennis, including at Wimbledon.

David Cameron, seen in the royal box at Wimbledon, said claims of match-fixing in tennis hurt the sport's supporters the most. Credit: PA Images

A Downing Street spokesperson said the Prime Minister wants to see "action taken" in the wake of claims that 16 elite players had been reported over fears of fixing in the past decade.

It is deeply concerning that another sport is facing such serious allegations. As with the allegations we have seen in other sports like athletics and football, the people who suffer most are the fans.

The Prime Minister would want to see these issues investigated by the independent authorities. The most important thing is that action is taken in response and the independent authorities get on with that.

– Downing Street spokesperson

Djokovic reveals he was offered £140,000 to throw match

Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic has revealed he was offered £140,000 to throw a match in 2007 as the sport faces fresh allegations of elite match-fixing over the past decade.

Djokovic said "people that were working with me at the time" were approached with a $200,000 (£140,000) offer for him to deliberately lose a match at a tournament in St Petersburg.

Novak Djokovic said match-fixing went beyond unsportsmanship and must be regarded as a 'crime'. Credit: Reuters

"Of course, we threw it away right away," the Serbian told reporters on the day he began his defence of the Australian Open. "It made me feel terrible."

Responding directly to the latest allegations, Djokovic suggested the alleged widespread fixing concerned matches "almost 10 years ago" and players "who are not active any more" despite claims one top-50 player suspected of fixing is competing in the Australian Open.

The 10-time grand slam winner said the sport had "evolved" and "upgraded our programmes and authorities to deal with these particular cases", adding: "I don’t think the shadow is cast over our sport."

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