Tennis stars under scrutiny for attending pre-tournament party
The International Tennis Integrity Agency is investigating a pre-US Open promotional party that may land some of the sport’s biggest names in hot water.
Leading tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg on Friday (AEST) released a report diving into the DraftKings event hosted by “well-connected Miami nightlife impresario” Dave Grutman on the eve of the grand slam tournament in New York.
Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva and Taylor Fritz were among the big names that attended and posed for photos in front of the DraftKings wall.
DraftKings is an American betting company listed as a “partner” of Grutman’s on his website.
“Their arranged appearances at a promotional event for a company that offers tennis betting could violate anti-corruption rules, and earn them discreet warnings from the ITIA to be careful about their appearances of affiliation with betting brands,” Rothenberg wrote.
“Even if the players were not directly compensated by DraftKings for appearing at its party, the appearances and photo-ops may have run afoul of Tennis Anti-Corruption rules.”
Grigor Dimitrov and Serena Williams at the DraftKings party. Instagram
Rule D.1.b states: “No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, facilitate, encourage and/or promote Tennis Betting”; and D.1.q reads: “No Covered Person, whether personally or via another arrangement or legal entity, may endorse, be employed, sponsored and/or otherwise engaged by a Tennis Betting Operator.”
A ITIA spokesperson confirmed the investigation with a statement to nine.com.au.
“We are aware of this event, and we are looking into the circumstances and details,” it read.
Former American players James Blake, Mardy Fish, and Bob Bryan have all been previously penalised for being paid to promote gambling companies.
Nine.com.au is not suggesting that any of the players were paid to attend the DraftKings event.
Before the story broke, world No.1 Sabalenka fired up at an American reporter for asking about her off-court life following her second round 6-1, 6-1 cruise over Polina Iatcenko.
Here’s how the testy press conference exchange played out.
Q: Hi Aryna, well done tonight. I’m sort of curious, how are you finding like your mood now that the tournament has started? Obviously, last week it’s lots of parties and fun and stuff like that. Are you…
A: Oh, you guys are like a joke, party is fun. Like, why would you even say that? Why would you even think about that? Like, what kind of question is that? Like, just because I posted like some activities with brands, and you think that I’ve been partying, not training?
Q: I’m not suggesting that you’re partying, I’m saying that there are a lot of events and things like that. I’m not saying you go to the parties.
A: You literally said that.
Q: Excuse me? For everyone who’s not clear, I’m not suggesting that Aryna is having fun at these parties. I’m saying that she makes a lot of appearances and there’s a lot to do and lots of events, OK?
A: OK. Move on.
Q: So now that the tournament started, do you find you’re getting quite serious and combative?
Sabalenka in action Getty Images
A: Oh yeah, I wasn’t serious before that. Next question.
Watch the US Open on Stan Sport. Add the Stan Sport package to watch every point of grand slam tennis live and on demand with no ad-breaks in play
