Davydenko’s Treatment “Idiotic”
3rd January, 2008
Tennis ace Nikolay Davydenko has labelled his treatment by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) over the betting scandal engulfing the sport “idiotic”. The world ranked number four told the sports news agency ESPN that the investigation was taking “months and months”, and that he has been fighting to save his reputation as a result.
The Russian also added that he felt sorry for the Italian Potito Starace, who was banned for six weeks and fined $30,000 for making just five bets on tennis in 2005 totalling $150. Fellow Italians Daniele Bracciali and Alessio di Mauro were also hit with suspensions last year for betting on matches.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Venus Williams said on Thursday that she did not believe tennis was corrupt: "I don't think it is a big thing for tennis, to be honest. We're OK, I don't see it as a problem. I don't think about it per se."
