UK Tennis Officials Get Tough on Corruption

With Wimbledon set to start today, tennis officials are cracking down on corruption in light of probes into 45 recent matches, the Independent reports. Four of the matches are from last year’s Wimbledon men’s singles, and top international players are suspected of wrongdoing. Many players said they were aware of opponents being asked to throw competitions.

Tennis authorities plan to instate an anti-corruption chief and ban corrupt players for three years in addition to charging heavy fines. Players will have to report offers to throw matches within 48 hours; all betting among players and those close to them will be banned, and locker-room security will be bolstered. Such reforms are the biggest made to the sport since 2004’s drug-testing rules. (More tennis stories.)