Names do matter. The reports should come out with the names and then we can act accordingly
Roger Federer
Melbourne: More players revealed match-fixing approaches Tuesday as the Australian Open 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.
According to Australian media, police are also monitoring the first round of the Australian Open, currently under way in Melbourne, for suspicious results.
But then there were some also who questioned the authenticity of the report even though they did not doubt the fact that some players have been involved in fixing.
“I would like to hear the names,” 34-year-old Roger Federer told reporters. “Then at least it’s concrete stuff and you can actually debate about it. Was it the player? Was it the support team? Who was it? Was it before? Was it a doubles player, a singles player? Which Slam? But then whatever may be the consequences it is absolutely vital to keep the sport clean,” added the Swiss.
Andy Murray went a step further and called the sponsorship of tennis by betting firms as ‘hypocritical’. “I think it’s a little bit hypocritical, really, because I don’t believe the players are allowed to be sponsored by betting companies but then the tournaments are. I don’t really understand how it all works. I think it’s a bit strange.” AFP