Melbourne, Jan 19: More players revealed match-fixing approaches today as the Australian Open Grand Slam tournament came under close scrutiny following claims that corruption in tennis was widespread.
Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis said he had been targeted through social media, while a British former Davis Cup player said he was once offered an envelope stuffed with cash to throw a match.
[World No. 1 Novak Djokovic reveals match-fixing approach]
"I was approached by a random guy as I was coming off the practice courts. He showed me the money and said that I had to lose in two sets."
"He seemed anxious, nervous, and after a few quick words he began trying to press an envelope stuffed with euros into my hand."
"It was a substantial amount of money -- tens of thousands -- way more than I would have earned from winning the tournament and more than most players at that level would make in a year."
An unnamed former tennis trader for a bookmaking company also told The Times that he suspected matches were fixed "on a regular basis, particularly towards the end of the season" because of irregular movements in the betting odds.
Melbourne's The Age newspaper said police, aware the BBC and BuzzFeed report was about to be released, had quizzed people within tennis about which first-round matches at the Australian Open might be at risk.
The Australian Open's first round, featuring 256 men's and women's singles players, concludes on Tuesday which is day two of the tournament at Melbourne Park.
AFP
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