Tennis Under The Microscope Regarding Alleged Gambling Coup
While the popular sport of tennis has never really attracted much negative comment or controversy, there are concerns that gambling syndicates may well have, and continue to, target the sport in search of major gambling returns.
In a move which has been prompted by the Paul Goldstein, who confirmed that he had recently been approached by gambling syndicates to “fix” the result of his tennis match, the games leading authority, the Association Of Tennis Professionals (ATP), are under pressure to reveal all about possible corruption in the game.
The prospect of tennis being under attack from gangster operations and illicit gambling groups has grown in recent months after a low profile tournament in Poland attracted unprecedented betting activity on a game between little known Nikolay Davydenko and Martin Vassallo A number of betting companies reacted by suspending betting on the match, with speculation rife that they were being set-up for a sting.
While nothing has yet been proved, it is rather surprising to hear the ATP have not even contacted the players involved to question them - although they do stress they are investigating the betting activity and will speak to the players in due course. Goldstein’s revelations have now prompted a wave of similar comments from a whole host of players across the tennis spectrum.
When you consider the recent prosecutions in the US, in relation to illegal gambling on baseball games, the UK’s ongoing horse racing scandal and other similar activities around the world, it seems that no area of sport can escape the gambling cartels. The sports gambling market is absolutely enormous, with literally billions of pounds changing hands on a regular basis, and it is hardly surprising that it has attracted certain corrupt groups of society.
The authorities have promised to investigate all alleged corruption across a whole range of sports, but finding the evidence and prosecuting the culprits is easier said than done.