Tennis announces anti-corruption review

Tennis authorities have vowed to crack down on alleged corruption in the sport, announcing an independent review headed by Adam Lewis QC.

The panel will review the tennis anti-corruption program and make recommendations for change, the bodies – the ATP, WTA, ITF and Grand Slam Board – said in a statement on Wednesday.

It is expected the review will assess the under-fire Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) to see how it can be more transparent, the potential for additional resources, structural and governance changes and its educational programs.

All of the outcomes and recommendations are to be publicly available and the bodies have vowed to “implement and fund all the actions” suggested.

Lewis, a sports law expert, will select two members to join him on the panel.

“This review will build on the 2008 Environmental Report that saw tennis become one of the first major sports to establish its own dedicated anti-corruption unit,” the statement said.

“Since 2010, the Tennis Integrity United-instigated anti-corruption investigations have resulted in 18 successful disciplinary cases being brought forward including life bans for five players and one official.”

The bodies called on all governments worldwide to “make match-fixing a distinct criminal offence”.

The review comes in the wake of match-fixing threatening to overshadow the Australian Open after an investigation released by the BBC and BuzzFeed News on the opening day of the year’s first grand slam.

A worldwide website also suspended betting on a mixed doubles match at the tournament on Sunday.