The world's leading tennis players have been warned they will be under surveillance at next month's Australian Open for any evidence of match-fixing, and could face jail if caught.
Open organisers yesterday outlined a range of anti-corruption measures designed to stop illegal gambling, including a hotline to reportalleged corruption and beefed-up security to restrict access to players.
The sport has been dogged by recent rumours of fixed matches and players claiming they had been offered large sums of cash to throw games.
Betting exchange Betfair went as far as suspending all betting on one match involving world No 4 Nikolay Davydenko in Poland in August because of concerns.
The Russian, who retired hurt fromthe match, denied any involvement butan investigation was launched by the sport's governing body ATP.
Tennis Australia chief executive Steve Wood said strict sanctions would apply for players and their support staff for breaches of the policy, ranging from fines to life bans.
Those involved in match-fixing could also face prison terms, with offences arising from the practice attracting a maximum of 15 years' jail under Victorian law.
"We don't believe our sport has a corruption problem but we do recognise that a threat to the integrity of tennis exists," Wood said.
"Betting is a reality in all sports. But we want to have some vigilance over illegal gambling."
Gambling on tennis itself is not illegal but the prospect of being able to bet during a tennis match means the sport is hugely popular for punters - and a licence to print money for those who can somehow influence the pattern and result of a match.
Both men and women's tennis have been under clouds of suspicion this year.
Several players - among them former Wimbledon doubles champion Michael Llodra - claimed they had been offered money to throw matches.
The new policy will use anti-corruption police to monitor suspicious betting.
The Open is the first grand slam tournament to introduce such measures.
Charges will be heard by Tennis Australia's Anti-Corruption Commission.
Davydenko is among the field for the 2008 Open, to be held from January 14-27.AAP
