ITIA Quarterly Update - Q3 2023

An introduction from Karen Moorhouse, CEO of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA)

It has been a productive quarter for the ITIA, including visits to the final two Grand Slam events of the year in Wimbledon and the US Open. The ITIA had a strong presence at both competitions, holding strategic events in both London and New York, as well as multiple key engagements at all levels of the sport.

Wimbledon and the US Open kindly offered ITIA staff the opportunity to host a round table discussion with tournament umpires, further strengthening relationships with officials at the forefront of the game.

Grand Slam meetings have become a regular checkpoint between the ITIA and tennis officials, which is a welcome development as we look to embed our prevention-first strategy.

With the help of the USTA in New York, colleagues were able to host important events to coincide with the US Open. Much of that work is covered later in this quarterly report.

I would, however, like to highlight the US Betting Integrity Workshop – delivered by the ITIA in partnership with the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) - which allowed us to showcase the ITIA’s experience in combatting corruption in front of a number of leagues and operators in the United States.

We have been monitoring the development of betting markets in the US since the 2018 repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act [PASPA], which led to rapid expansion of the market. In hosting an event with many of the key operators in the region, and building networks with the executives involved, we are taking a proactive role in the prevention of corruption in this particular market. Our thanks to friends at the IBIA and the operators in attendance for their collaboration.

Education and prevention update

Workshops and round table sessions underpin a lot of the work with officials on tour, with ITIA representatives from all departments of the organisation attending events of all levels of the professional game, cascading from Grand Slams all the way through to ITF $15k competitions, around the world.

Jenni Kennedy, ITIA Senior Director of Investigations, said: “Our project to further integrate into the tennis tour and provide greater visibility and insight into our work continues to evolve. Feedback from members of the tennis community is positive, but we continue to invite discussion with members who would like to talk more about the ITIA’s commitment to protecting the sport and its people from corruption.”

In addition to work with officials, a group of Doping Control Officers (DCO) were welcomed to ITIA headquarters in Roehampton for a workshop focused on further moulding our collaborative efforts to improve investigation, intelligence and education efforts.

In Q3, a total of 1164 players, officials, coaches and tournament staff attended education events. The major focus of our education, aside from the Grand Slams, was at Junior competitions including ITF J300s in Roehampton and Renningen, three Tennis Europe events at U14 and U16 level and the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals in Prostejov.  

Professional players continue to be offered drop-in sessions and one-to-one education on a range of subjects within tennis’ twin anti-doping and anti-corruption programmes, including specialist sessions on topics like whereabouts and supplements.

Continuous development of the ITIA’s education offering took a progressive step in Q3 2023 with the introduction of a mandatory integrity module via the International Tennis Federation’s online learning platform.

The module launched in late September, and available via the ITF Academy since for thousands of juniors embarking upon potential careers in the professional game, offers an introduction to values and integrity in tennis, detailing the fundamentals of both the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) and Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP), alongside information on how to make contact with ITIA staff for support.

Matt Perry, ITIA Senior Manager for Education and Training talks on the importance of engaging with players at the infancy of their careers.

He said: “The introduction of mandatory education for juniors provides a fundamental platform and knowledge base for all players who transition into the professional game.

“This is a large step forward for us, and credit to colleagues across tennis for appreciating the value of such interventions. Not only will players benefit from a greater understanding of the rules, but they will recognise the support available from the ITIA in addressing any concerns or queries they may have when it comes to anti-doping and anti-corruption.”

Sanctions and Provisional Suspensions

The ITIA confirmed three sanctions under the TADP and five sanctions under the Tennis TACP in the third quarter of 2023. In addition, Romanian player Radu Florin Macovei accepted an agreed one-month sanction for a minor breach of the TACP.

Please note, decisions issued following an independent hearing process are subject to appeal.

A further seven individuals were issued Provisional Suspensions pending full consideration of charges, or decision on sanction length, under the TACP.

One player, Jenson Brooksby, elected to take a Provisional Suspension under the TADP, pending an independent tribunal hearing following three Whereabouts Failures.

Players and officials – TADP sanctions

Mariska Venter – 12 months

Sydney Dorcil – four years

Simona Halep – four years

Players and officials – TACP sanctions

Mark Philippoussis – $10,000 fine and four months (suspended)

Percy Flores – 12 years

Robert Biletic – six months

Clement Reix – 12 months

Alexis Musialek - lifetime

Provisional Suspensions

Jenson Brooksby (TADP)

Mohamed Ali Abibsi (TACP)

Timur Khabibulin (TACP)

Sanjar Fayziev (TACP)

Igor Smilansky (TACP)

Maxence Broville (TACP)

Dragos Nicolae Madaras (TACP)

Marko Ducman (TACP)

Match alerts

In the third quarter of 2023, the ITIA received a total of 38 match alerts through its confidential Memoranda of Understanding with the regulated betting industry.

A note about match alerts:

Every alert reported to the ITIA is recorded, assessed and followed up as an indicator that something inappropriate may have happened. It is important to note that an alert on its own is not evidence of match fixing.

Unusual betting patterns can occur for many reasons other than match fixing – for example incorrect odds-setting; well-informed betting; player fitness, fatigue or form; playing conditions and personal circumstances.

The number and distribution of alerts are reported quarterly. Care should be taken in drawing any conclusions about prevailing corruption across the tennis ‘pyramid’ as there are many more matches at the bottom than at the top. More complete analysis will be published in our annual report.

Where analysis of a match alert does suggest corrupt activity, the ITIA conducts a full, confidential investigation.

In addition, the ITIA considers intelligence from various sources, and encourages anyone with any concerns to contact the ITIA.

Tennis Anti-Doping Testing Programme – Q3 2023 testing figures

These figures outline the number of samples taken from players, not the number of tests (multiple samples e.g., urine and blood, can be taken from players when they are tested). All tests undertaken this quarter were with no notice.

The ITIA is responsible for the TADP across all professional tennis. Tests in Q3 of 2023 took place at events ranging from ITF $15k level to Wimbledon and the US Open with in and/or out of-competition testing undertaken in 43 different countries. 

ABP = Athlete Biological Passport

DBS = Dry Blood Spot