By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | January 31, 2025
Photo Credit: Corleve/Mark Peterson
The specter of corruption looms heavily over the sport, as six players find their careers curtailed by suspensions stemming from match-fixing violations.
In a groundbreaking investigation, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has imposed sanctions on these athletes, marking what they describe as “historic corruption offenses.”
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The punitive measures are associated with a 2023 criminal case uncovering a match-fixing ring operating out of Belgium.
Thanks to fruitful cooperation between the ITIA and Belgian law enforcement, the syndicate’s ringleader, Grigor Sargsyan, was sentenced to five years in prison, according to an ITIA statement.
For further insights, read the complete case decision here.
Among those suspended, five players have acknowledged their wrongdoings linked to matches from 2017 and 2018. Notably, three French players accepted their penalties without the need for a hearing before an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO).
Details about the sanctions for each player are available in the ITIA’s report:
Jerome Inzerillo, age 34, who peaked at a singles ranking of 354 in July 2012, will serve a suspension of five years and seven months, alongside a $50,000 fine, of which $35,000 is suspended. His suspension commenced on October 27, 2024, and will conclude on May 26, 2030.
David Guez, 42, who reached a high of 116 in singles ranking in July 2010, has been sanctioned with a four-year suspension and a $25,000 fine, of which $17,500 is suspended. His suspension began on October 25, 2024 and will last until October 24, 2028.
Romain Bauvy, 30, who achieved a career-best doubles ranking of 758 in March 2016, received the same penalty. His suspension started on November 6, 2024, ending on November 5, 2028.
Two other players opted for a hearing with an independent AHO, leading to rulings on Yannick Jankovits and François-Arthur Vibert, both from France.
The 38-year-old Jankovits, who was ranked as high as 226 in September 2015, is suspended for two years with a $28,000 fine, of which $21,000 is suspended. His suspension began on October 21, 2024, and will end on October 20, 2026. Read the full ruling here.
François-Arthur Vibert, aged 34, who ascended to a singles ranking of 591 in September 2012, faces a suspension of two years and three months with a $35,000 fine, of which $28,500 is suspended. His suspension is backdated to June 12, 2024, concluding on September 11, 2026. Find the complete decision here.
Agustin Moyano, 34, from Argentina with a career-high ranking of 1343 in September 2015, refuted the charges and demanded a hearing. After deliberation, AHO Charles Hollander KC issued a 15-year suspension alongside a fine of $10,000, effective from December 2, 2024, until December 1, 2039.
Throughout their suspensions, the affected players are barred from competing in, coaching at, or attending any sanctioned tennis event organized by ITIA members, including ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, and the U.S. National Tennis Association.