Media Information
An introduction to the Tennis Integrity Unit
The establishment of a permanent Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) for world tennis was the major
recommendation to come out of the May 2008 independent review of the betting-related
corruption challenges that faced the game (Environmental Review of Integrity in Professional
Tennis, Ben Gunn and Jeff Rees).
The comprehensive review concluded that while corruption had not taken a serious hold on
the sport, the threat to the game’s reputation posed by the huge and ever-increasing sums of
money bet on it demanded that swift action be taken to protect the integrity of the game for
all stakeholders, from players, support staff and officials through to commercial partners and
fans around the word.
In September 2008 the TIU came into being as a joint initiative of the International Tennis
Federation (ITF), the ATP, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and the Grand Slam Committee.
Under the leadership of Director of Integrity Jeff Rees QPM, a former senior detective at
London’s Scotland Yard and chief investigator for world cricket’s anti-corruption operation,
the Unit has a global brief to protect the game from all forms of betting-related corrupt
practice.
Operationally independent and working globally from ITF headquarters in London, this remit
covers the investigation of suspicious betting patterns and allegations of corrupt practice for
all professional tennis; enforcement of the stringent rules contained in the Uniform Tennis
Anti-Corruption Progam and player education initiatives to ensure all participants in the
professional game are fully aware of their responsibilities with regard to potential corruption
issues.

Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Progam
One of the first measures introduced by the game’s governing bodies after setting up the TIU
was the implementation of a Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Progam, which came into effect
on 1 January 2009.
The purpose of the Program is to maintain the integrity of tennis; protect against any efforts
to impact improperly the results or progress of any match and establish a uniform rule and
consistent scheme of enforcement and sanctions applicable to all professional tennis events
and to all governing bodies.
The provisions of the Program are set out in the 2010 WTA, ATP, ITF and Grand Slam
Codes of Conduct.

 In practice, the Program means that if players have any involvement with tennis betting and
match fixing, they run the risk of their careers being ended. The same penalties can also
apply if they attempt to benefit from providing inside information which they know or suspect
is being used for betting purposes.
Although the Program is a sport specific anti-corruption code enforced by the game’s
governing bodies, all parties must also be aware that in some countries attempting to profit
from cheating at gambling is a criminal act, for which offenders may face prosecution and
potential custodial sentencing.

Operational activities
In seeking to protect the integrity of world tennis the TIU performs a number of major
functions. These include:
-

identifying would-be corruptors targeting players, coaches, officials or other parties
with potential influence
initiating anti-corruption investigations based on field work, intelligence reports and
confidential information
monitoring and responding to unusual or suspicious betting patterns; the Unit works
closely with reputable betting organisations to access, investigate and verify data
development and implementation of anti-corruption education programs and
presentations to players
protecting innocent players from unfounded and malicious claims and allegations of
corrupt practice

Investigative powers of the Tennis Integrity Unit
The TIU is a sporting entity which has been given a powerful range of investigative
authorities by the game’s governing bodies. These have been assigned to enable the Unit to
act effectively and with the necessary authority to carry out meaningful investigations. They
include:
-

powers to require interviews with all persons covered by the Uniform Tennis AntiCorruption Progam
access to telephone records, including billing, text and SMS messages
access to banking and financial statements
access to internet service records
access to computer, hard drive and other forms of electronic information storage

 Disciplinary sanctions
Sanctions for proven breaches of the Uniform Anti-Corruption Program are delivered by
nominated Anti-Corruption Hearing Officers appointed by the game’s governing bodies.
Depending on the seriousness of the breach, player sanctions can include:
-

US$250,000 fine plus an amount equal to the value of any winnings or other amounts
received in connection with the offense
a lifetime ban from participating in any event organised or sanctioned by any tennis
governing body

Decisions handed down at disciplinary hearings can be subject to appeal to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Ends

Tennis Integrity Unit media contact:
Mark Harrison
Harrisons PR
T: + 44 (0) 1295 690 003
M: + 44 (0) 7776 182506
E: harrisons@ndirect.co.uk