Gambling Still A Thorn In Side Of Professional Tennis
It didn’t sound like much at first: a few Italian tennis players of no particular noteworthiness were charged by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) of gambling an average of 26 on matches (not their own). It looked like tennis was just cleaning up a minor problem involving low-ranked players. That’s all changed.
Potito Starace, and the four other Italian players fined and suspended, sued in federal court in Florida, claiming that gambling is more widespread and has infiltrated the ranks of top players. They also claim a coverup, and we all know the coverup is much more trouble than the initial problem (witness the Nixon Presidency).
A recent ruling has gone against the players. The ATP actions were upheld, and certain documents will remain sealed. These documents include depositions from ATP officials; the players’ lawyer, Robert F. Elgidely, claims his clients were targeted as “low-hanging fruit” in order to shield the higher-ranking players.
Mr. Elgidely has also claimed that a bet made by Ted Forstmann, president of IMG Worldwide, a sports agency, on the 2007 French Open final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, was based on inside information.
Two big problems: both Nadal and Federer were IMG clients at the time; and the bet was for 40,000. The ATP action? They ‘reprimanded’ Mr. Forstmann for ‘inappropriate activity.’ Forstmann lost his bet, by the way.
The whole mess has now gotten ESPN involved; the network has commitments to televise 500 hours of matches in 2011. They want the sealed documents made public.
It seems quite a shame to detract from the great play that occurs in most tournaments, and it is certainly true that the vast majority of players are completely innocent. Hopefully the allegations will be cleared up soon, so fans and bloggers can concentrate on the competition.
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