ATP Exec Chair & President Chris Kermode is "understood to be the man leading the push for an expansion" in resources for the Tennis Integrity Unit, a "common suggestion that has been made by most of the leading players" in the wake of the recent match-fixing scandal, according to Simon Briggs of the London TELEGRAPH. Kermode did not confirm that, but he said, “We’re reviewing the way the TIU works, as we do anyway, and looking even more closely at how it’s resourced." Kermode: “The Tennis Integrity Unit is an independent body and it is not just working for the ATP, but for the seven governing bodies: us, the Women’s Tennis Association, the International Tennis Federation and the four grand slams. That’s one reason why it is ludicrous to suggest that there is a cover-up going on here." He added, “I can’t say it strongly enough or often enough: we reject any suggestion that match-fixing evidence has been suppressed for any reason" (London TELEGRAPH, 1/20). Meanwhile, in London, Ben Rumsby reports tennis' leaders will be "ordered before Parliament to explain their actions over the match-fixing controversy that has engulfed the sport." Officials from the TIU "would be called to testify in person in front of the committee." The ATP, led by Kermode "could also be quizzed, along with the investigators who compiled a 2008 report that was leaked to the BBC and BuzzFeed, as well as senior figures from some of Britain’s biggest bookmakers." A hearing "was agreed after the Prime Minister called for an 'independent' investigation into allegations his spokesman branded 'deeply concerning'" (London TELEGRAPH, 1/20).
UNRELATED MATTER? In Melbourne, Margaret McDonald reports Tennis Australia "has confirmed that three of its directors resigned on the eve of the Australian Open, but vehemently denies the trio’s departures had anything to do with the current match-fixing and corruption allegations swamping the sport at present." The directors -- Dr. Janet Young, Peter Armstrong and Kerryn Pratt -- "tendered their resignations on January 18, three days before" the start of the Grand Slam event. Tennis Australia President Steve Healy "took to task some reports suggesting the resignations were connected in any way to the illegal betting debate." He said in a statement, "This is completely unrelated to current media reports on corruption in tennis. This has nothing to do with that issue" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 1/21).
MONEY CAN'T BUY ME LOVE: In New Jersey, Tara Sullivan writes under the header, "Reports Of Match Fixing Hurting Tennis." The sport is now taking a "turn on this carousel of shame, the latest reminder that gambling continues to touch too many corners of our sporting world and remains the single greatest threat to the very foundation of the games we love" (Bergen RECORD, 1/20).
