Suspicions over match fixing have surfaced again, this time on the biggest stage possible. It is understood that at least two Wimbledon matches are being investigated due to suspicious betting patterns.
The grasscourt Grand Slam concluded on Sunday, with Novak Djokovic winning the men’s title and Ashleigh Barty taking the women’s crown.
ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics blow for Roger Federer
But on Monday, German publication Die Welt reported that ‘possible manipulations’ may have occurred during one singles and one doubles match.
Although the exact details of the betting patterns haven’t come out yet, several betting agencies reportedly flagged off the two matches.
Upgrade your serve with our FREE guide
The singles match under suspicion reportedly featured a German player. But it is his opponent who is being investigated.
Die Welt reported that a five-digit sum was placed at the end of the second set of the first-round match.
ALSO READ: John McEnroe slammed for Emma Raducanu comments
As it turned out, the match ended in the exact score as mentioned in the bet. Punters also seemingly correctly predicted the number of service games in the match.
The doubles match under investigation was also in the first round. The players under the scanner won the first set but lost the next two.
ALSO READ: ‘She’s lying’: Tomljanovic accuses Ostapenko
According to the publication, the timing of the bets placed is the reason behind suspected foul play.
The ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) is tasked with investigating potential match fixing cases in the sport. Four players have been banned or fined for offences related to match fixing this year so far.
ALSO READ: Kristina Mladenovic cops heavy fine for off-court incident
Most of the match fixing offences occur at smaller tournaments and involve lower-ranked players.
