A 32-year-old professional athlete faces suspension for alleged illegal match-fixing! The scale of the match-fixing industry is alarming.

Tennis remains engaged in fighting the worsening match-fixing issue, with last year's revelations exposing the industry's magnitude. In February last year, the ITIA penalized six players connected to a Belgian fixing syndicate headed by the convicted fixer Grigor Salger, who received a five-year prison sentence. Now, the shadow returns as 32-year-old Argentine player Hernán Casanova faces suspension, reigniting concerns about gambling influences infiltrating tennis.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has imposed a two-month suspension on Argentine player Casanova due to violations of illegal betting and integrity rules. Casanova is currently ranked 397th in the ATP standings. He admitted his wrongdoing in a statement posted online.

The ITIA confirmed the sanctions in an official release: “Casanova has been suspended for two months and fined $2,000, with $1,500 of the fine suspended. The suspension is effective from February 4, 2026, until April 3, 2026.” The agency also emphasized strict restrictions during the ban: “During the suspension, Casanova is prohibited from participating in, coaching, or attending any events authorized or recognized by ITIA members (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, French Tennis Federation, Wimbledon, USTA), and may not engage in any activities of national associations.”

Casanova admitted to placing bets on tennis matches between 2023 and 2025, describing these wagers as “purely for entertainment.” He claimed none of the bets involved matches in which he participated. However, regulations prohibit betting on any tennis matches whatsoever.

The player also acknowledged another violation: failing to report an attempt to corruptly approach him, which breaches the 2024 Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). These actions violate TACP rules, and Casanova accepts responsibility. “I will be suspended for two months,” he wrote on Instagram. “I fully admit my mistakes and accept the punishment.” Investigators confirmed he did not report attempts to recruit him for match-fixing. This incident occurs amid growing awareness of gambling-related pressures.

Recently, Argentine player Bruchaga and Spanish player Sánchez Izquierdo received death threats from gamblers during the Rosario Challenger 125 event. “These will be tough two months,” Casanova added. “I share this to help young professionals entering tennis understand the anti-corruption program, as even the smallest mistake carries consequences.”

Crackdowns on gambling violations continue. In April this year, Thomas Setoghi, Hugo Dobias, Gabriel Petit, Yannick Tiwang, and Thomas Breshemier were also sanctioned for past offenses.

In 2023, the ITIA imposed temporary suspensions on Timur Khabibulin, Sanjar Faiziyev, and Igor Smiransky, all related to match-fixing. Khabibulin violated TACP rules 18 times between 2014 and 2018; Faiziyev committed five violations after being approached; Smiransky had three similar breaches.

With gambling and match-fixing cases rising again, tennis faces increasing pressure. Players and officials are under tighter scrutiny, and governing bodies are working to strengthen safeguards to preserve the sport’s integrity.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)