Crime experts monitoring ‘Person of Interests’ at 2023 Australian Open for possible doping and corruption charges
International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) reminds players that they are being monitored in the Australian Open.
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Australian Open 2023
Many players in the Australian Open are being monitored by the Agency to bring down corruption and doping in the sport. Numerous ‘person of interests’ are apparently being observed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). Experts have been sent to Melbourne Park this year for the ongoing Australian Open to have an eye on players.
Incidents related to these scandals have come into the limelight of late. Around 18 players were busted last year at an anti-doping test. Many small tournaments have been the places for these activities, unfortunately. According to the Daily Telegraph, these incidents bring remarks on the sport, and hence the ITIA decided to have serious scrutiny over these issues.
In addition to this, four players were banned permanently from the sport for the match-fixing offense. Along with these four players, a thorough investigation is done to suspend 26 umpires, coaches, and players in total. These tennis investigators have been given full powers and access to seize the belongings of any suspected players immediately.
With this level of attention to the Grand Slams, there is a very limited chance of such incidents happening. However, the ITIA, themselves are sure that no fixing can take place in major events. Moreover, all the players who were banned last year are ranked above 300. Adrian Bassett, the communications boss of ITIA warned that even Grand Slam players have been involved in these scandals in the past.
Related: Jessica Pegula keeps the USA flag flying high at the Australian Open
Highlights of the first week in the Australian Open 2023
This edition of the Australian Open had been one of its kind and has seen never before upsets. For the first time since the Open Era, there are no top two seeds in the quarterfinals in both men’s and women’s singles. The major started with key players like Nick Kyrgios, Carlos Alcaraz withdrawing due to injuries. This week also saw the elimination of the defending champion Rafael Nadal in the second round.
It’s been an entertaining first week with many upsets happening and unseeded players performing a lot better. Fans witnessed everything from Novak Djokovic‘s domination to Andy Murray‘s five-hour marathon matches against Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis. All in all, it will be an exciting second week in Melbourne Park.
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