Tennis Bodies Forming Panel To Combat Gambling, Match-Fixing

De Villiers Believes There Is No Evidence Of Corruption In Tennis From Gambling

Tennis authorities are soon expected to name an independent panel that will analyze the "nature, scope and potential for match-fixing and corruptive gambling forces" within the sport, according to Douglas Robson in a sports section Cover Story for USA TODAY. The panel is a result of an "outgrowth of concerns shared by the sport's major governing bodies," including the ITF, ATP Tour, WTA Tour and the four Grand Slams. ATP Chair Etienne de Villiers believes that there "is no evidence of corruption in the sport even though it remains 'a significant threat to the integrity of the game.'"  WTA Tour CEO Larry Scott: "The eye-opener is just the amount of gambling on tennis and the degree to which players have been approached."  Online sports betting company Betfair spokesperson Adrian Murdock believes tennis is being "very proactive" in addressing the problem.  Murdock: "The real danger is when a sports governing body refuses to recognize a risk" (USA TODAY, 12/18).