Novak Djokovic denies report he deliberately lost in 2007

“This is now the main story in tennis, in the sports world, there’s going to be a lot of allegations”, he said, calling it “just speculation” and saying “it is not true”.

The claims were put to Djokovic following his 6-1 6-2 7-6 (7/3) win against Frenchman Quentin Halys in the Australian Open second round, and the 10-time grand slam champion denied committing any offence.

No. 2-ranked Murray and other top players, including Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, say authorities could be doing more to combat the problem. “I said everything I needed to say two days ago.

He said it would remain speculation until there was “real proof and evidence”.

World number one Novak Djokovic has called for those making corruption allegations to provide proof after blasting as “absurd” an Italian newspaper which suggested he could have thrown a match.

“What it is to say?”

Kei Nishikori of Japan reacts to a lost point during his second round match against Austin Krajicek of the United States during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016. “I think that certain media is just trying to create a story out of it without any proof”. Two of the most higher-profile players – former top-50 players Daniele Bracciali and Potito Starace – were initially banned for life before their suspensions were lifted by the Italian Tennis Federation past year. There haven’t been too many matches where top players lost in last decade or so in early rounds. I just think there’s no place at all for these kind of behaviors and things in our sport. I think its just absurd, ” Djokovic said. Was it a doubles player, a singles player?

In addition to officials from the Tennis Integrity Unit, members of the Association of Tennis Professionals, which operates the men’s pro tour, could also be questioned. Maybe they will surprise me and one day they will be here and I will be home in the cold and they will be here.

BuzzFeed News and the BBC claim that the sport has refused to take action against a network of 16 players despite repeated warnings.

Moscow-born Gavrilova, who paired up with Nick Kyrgios to win the Hopman Cup for Australia at the start of the year, will play France’s Kristina Mladenovic in her first trip to the third round at a grand slam. “I normally enjoy playing against the guys who come forward”. “He’s not really overwhelmed by a big occasion, so I expect him to try his best to win”.

In the wake of explosive reports alleging evidence of widespread match-fixing, Agassi told the Associated Press it had “never even made my radar”. “Whether you want to have betting companies involved in the big tournaments in our sport or not, it’s hard to say what’s right and what’s wrong”. I just don’t think they will ever be a tennis player who is ever going to play on Rod Laver Arena.

The third seed at the Australian Open made his position clear under a barrage of questioning after he began the first round on Monday with a defeat of Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.