Lifetime ban for match fixing, says ATP chief
6th November, 2007
The executive chairman of the ATP Tour Etienne de Villiers has warned players that are involved in any form of match fixing will be banned for life from the sport. He also announced that the ATP and other professional tennis organisations will be bringing in an external group to assess any dangers gambling presents to the sport.
The comments come in the midst of a number of illegal match-fixing allegations, with fourth ranked Nikolay Davydenko's Polish Masters match being investigated after irregular betting patterns were reported. The Russian was also recently fined $2,000 for 'not trying hard enough' during an upset loss at the St. Petersburg Open. He denied wrongdoing in both instances, and called the fine 'outrageous'.
Despite being ranked fourth in the world, Davydenko has been priced at 200/1 to win Wimbledon in 2008. Somewhat unsurprisingly, Federer is favourite to take the title again at 4/6. All prices are taken from Paddy Power, using our odds comparison service.
