Just before the Australian Open kicked off yesterday, the tennis world was rocked by a match-fixing scandal. The recent BBC-Buzzfeed report showed that current players, including some of those in the top 50, have taken part in match-fixing. According to a Swedish report by the Svenska Dagbladet, there are 41 players who have been reported to have taken in part of match-fixing back in 2011, including some of the biggest and most popular names in tennis.
Former Grand Slam Champions In The Report
In this report, four different Grand Slam champions over the past few years. Recent US Open champions Marin Cilic and Flavia Pennetta were named in this report as well as former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.
Big Name Shockers
In the list of former Grand Slam champions who have been rumored to have taken a part of match-fixing are Victoria Azarenka. The Belarusian is currently the second-favorite to win the Australian Open title and was a two-time champion Down Under. She’s currently one of the more popular players on tour due to her charismatic personality and fan interaction.
Amongst another fan favorite to be on this list is Agnieszka Radwanska. The Pole is currently seeded fourth in the Australian Open and was last year’s WTA Finals champion. She’s also a former Wimbledon finalist.
When looking back at 2011, Azarenka won three titles including in Miami. She also made the second week of three Slams and was a runner-up at the WTA Finals. For Radwanska, she won three titles and was a WTA Finals representative. Two of her three titles came in Premier events.
These have been top players over the past few years, which makes you wonder why they would be involved in match-fixing if these reports are true.
Italy Dominates The List
Pennetta and Schiavone are not the only two Italians on the list. Fabio Fognini, Andreas Seppi, Simone Bolelli, Filippo Volandri, and Flavio Cipolla. Potito Starace is also on the list and has been banned for life from match-fixing.
Here’s the full list of players who are allegedly involved with match-fixing back in 2011.
