The current boys’ champion of the Australian Open, Oliver Anderson, has been charged with match-fixing offences, two weeks before the start of the Melbourne event.
Anderson has been found guilty of trying to fix a match at a Challenger tournament in Traralgon last October. At the event the 18-year-old defeated Harrison Lombe 4-6, 6-0, 6-2, in the first round before falling to John-Patrick Smith. No information has been provided as to the exact offence and if any other party was involved.
Following an investigation conducted by the Victoria Police sporting integrity intelligence unit, Anderson is set to appear in court on March 2nd at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court. Details of the case are limited, but it has been confirmed that both bookmakers and Latrobe Valley detectives are involved.
Coach by former professional player Wayne Arthurs, Anderson stunned four seeded players on his way to winning the boys’ title at last year’s Australian Open. Since then he has peaked at a high of 639th on the professional tour, but is yet to win a title outside on the junior circuit.
Fairfax media has reported that there is currently no indication that Arthurs was involved in the match-fixing incident, but he has declined to talk about the issue. One unnamed professional player did speak out about the case, telling Fairfax media that they were ‘disappointed’ with Anderson.
“It’s extremely disappointing,” one well-known former professional said.
“I just don’t know why he would have [allegedly] got involved in something like that. I didn’t think he was that dumb.”
Tennis Australia has also issued a stark warning to Anderson, threatening to hand him a life ban if he is found guilty. Integrity officer Peter Peterson has issued a strong statement in condemnation of match-fixing.
“If he is found guilty in court I can pretty much 100 per cent say he will not play tennis again,’’ he told The Herald Sun.
“He will be banned and we will send out a very strong message here that if people want to participate in an activity like this and you are found guilty then there will be severe repercussions.’
The announcement comes as Australian news outlet 7news confirmed that police are currently reviewing tennis matches played over the past 12 months for potential corruption. In the report, police sources have been quoted saying that ‘criminal gangs are infiltrating the tennis world’. The gangs are allegedly targeting younger players through ‘recreational drug use’ in order to build a relationship before trying to get them to participate in match-fixing. The ongoing investigation involves international betting organisations.
12 months ago the Australian Open was also rocked by match-fixing allegations in the build-up to the tournament. A joint report by the BBC and Buzzfeed news alleged widespread corruption in the sport, which hasn’t been properly tackled by the authorities. Shortly after the ‘Independent Review Panel’ was set up to evaluate the integrity of the sport. The heads of the governing bodies (ATP, WTA and ITF) have all pledged to abide by the recommendations of the panel when they are published later this year.
