Tennis' top governing bodies "have acknowledged the damage done to their sport" amid ongoing allegations of match fixing and have announced an "independent review into the procedures they have in place to keep the game clean," according to Peter Hanlon of the Melbourne AGE. Execs from the various organizations reiterated their view that the match-fixing allegations contained in a BBC-Buzzfeed report "had revealed nothing new, but acknowledged that the subsequent publicity had created a perception that was damaging tennis." Wimbledon Chair Philip Brook, the Chair of the Tennis Integrity Board, said, "Most of the problem has been caused by events 10 days ago. We have to repair the damage that's been done. But we acknowledge we can improve." ATP Exec Chair & President Chris Kermode said that it was "unprecedented for the game's seven stakeholders 'to come together to restore public confidence in our sport,' and they had voted unanimously to undertake an independent review headed by" London-based sports law expert Adam Lewis. Kermode: "We want to be as open and transparent as possible. There is zero, zero tolerance for this in our game." Brook said that the relationship between betting agencies and tournaments "would also be looked at, noting that several players had observed it created a 'bad look'" (Melbourne AGE, 1/28). ESPN's Pam Shriver said this latest press conference gave the "message that from this point onward, this process of investigating match fixing will be much more transparent and open." Shriver: "The message coming out today was totally different from eight days ago" ("Australian Open," ESPN2, 1/26).
NOT JUST A PASSING INTEREST: In London, Barry Flatman notes yesterday's meeting between the ATP, WTA, ITF and the four Grand Slam tournaments is just the "first of an ongoing series that will continue in Miami" during the joint ATP/WTA event there in March. Kermode said, "The last thing anyone wants is another sports body investigating itself, which is why we have taken this very bold step to commission a completely independent review" (LONDON TIMES, 1/27). More Kermode: "If we sat back and had done nothing, we would have been accused that sport again is complacent. We want to be constantly vigilant. I think this is a very bold step. We need to address the perception, public confidence, hit it head on. We don't have anything to hide at all" (AP, 1/27). ESPN's Patrick McEnroe said what "really got the attention of the governing bodies of tennis was British Parliament, saying just like what happened in the U.S. with Major League Baseball when the Senate said we're going to start investigating you to make sure you get your house in order." McEnroe: "Finally the governing bodies have figured out we better get our act together real quick to deal with this problem and to be able to move forward." ESPN's Chris Evert noted tennis has "always been one of the cleanest sports out there," though she admitted the game "lends itself perfectly, really, to gambling." Evert: "I'm just glad that finally the powers of tennis are being proactive and doing something about it" (Australian Open," ESPN2, 1/26).
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES: In N.Y., Christopher Clarey notes Brook "defended the work" of the Tennis Integrity Unit, formed in '08 "after a surge in online betting activity and match-fixing concerns." Brook said that US$14M "had been invested in the unit" since its formation and that 18 people "had been convicted of corruption offenses, with five players and one official banned for life." Brook also confirmed that he "believed the problem was more about perception than reality at this stage, but said improvement was both possible and important." Brook: “I think the Tennis Integrity Unit has done very good work over the last seven years. We have a lot of confidence in the team there. I think what the events of the last few days have shown us, however, is that we are in a changed world. Sport is under the microscope. We have to reassure everybody in our sport, watching our sport, that integrity is absolutely at the top of our pile of things to do.” Clarey reports ITF President David Haggerty "plans to strengthen" the organization's online tutorial on anticorruption efforts. Haggerty: "It can be updated with more information there so you really have a better understanding, because you’re not going to solve this when they’re pro. Giving them education when they’re pros is very helpful, but I think we need to start early with players who are coming through. I think that is what will make a really big impact" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/27).
MORE FUNDING IS NECESSARY: ESPN.com's Jim Caple noted the review panel will "address making the TIU more transparent without compromising its investigative confidentiality, additional resources for the TIU and structural changes to enhance its independence." Int'l Tennis HOFer Martina Navratilova said that the lack of funding "should be of paramount concern." Navratilova: "We're talking about thousands and thousands of matches, so the only way to really control that is for the ATP, WTA and ITF to work together and put more money into the integrity unit. How do you police thousands and thousands of matches without a lot of money? We're talking millions of dollars here that are needed" (ESPN.com, 1/26).
