The Optimist wrote:

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I put a link a couple of days ago in the 'ITF Prize Money' thread to an article in the Daily Mail outlining proposed changes to the circuit as a result of the investigation into match fixing.  Basically aiming to reduced the futures tour drastically and have about 500 players in professional tennis playing only in well supervised venues.  As BiS commented, no tennis players = no problems!!

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Thanks. I knew I had seen a post recently but had not read the attached article.

I have now. Rather concerning re so potentially totally overhauling the lower levels. Begs so many questions like how reducing ranking points at the first level to say just finalists and with it the amount of effective pro players is really going to stop betting, and more relevantly in turn match fixing, in earlier non ranking point rounds  ( unless you just aren't allowing information out on the proceedings ) and there is letting an inquiry act independently and come up with potentially very radical proposals and agreeing "to implement whatever recommendations that are made".

There is though clearly temptations and these temptations too often taken up with so many pros at lower levels not really able to make a living from competitive tennis in itself combined with potential large match fixing inducements. The authorities looking the other way is no answer, so to be fair it's all very difficult.

But I'd say be wary of feeling forced down a radical change for the sport, a new route you'ed prefer not to have gone but feel forced to by betting and related corruption. While it is so difficult in today's worldwide digital and communications age maybe there is more liason that could be done with known reputable bookmakers re such a huge live betting and spot fixing market. But maybe much of the market is beyond  discussion with tennis authorities. Just feels beware of going too inward in a sport where part of the very issues creating this willingness by some to be corrupted is the lack of attention and, related to this, income available for the lower ranks.

Coup Droit wrote:

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And today, Federico Coria - also from Argentina - has been found guilty of corruption charges, for failing to report someone approaching him to match fix - twice, I think - and putting his mobile back to factory settings.

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 The younger brother of Guillermo Coria the Argentinian player suspended for nandrolone a few years back.

At that time, the Argentinians had a few players caught in drugs issues, and with Kicker and Coria getting done in corruption cases you have to wonder how the governance and mentoring works in that country     

JonH wrote:

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Nick Kicker has been banned for 6 years with 3 of those suspended. SO he will be out of the game for 3 years and must not commit any further offence in that time or he will get the suspension imposed.

Could be career over for that man. Stupid

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 Id say he is very fortunate when you look at Stephen Lee in Snooker and the ban he got.