Venus: Corruption not big issue
Venus Williams not worried about match-fixing
Thursday, 03, Jan 2008 09:59
Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova have both dismissed claims that match-fixing occurs in tennis.
An ongoing investigation is looking into match-fixing in the men's game after there were allegations of irregular betting. Also, legendary women's star Martina Navratilova said earlier this week that the sport should try and stamp our corruption.
But Williams, the reigning Wimbledon champion and former world number one, thinks corruption isn't a big problem in the sport.
"I don't think it is a big thing for tennis, to be honest. We're OK, I don't see it as a problem. I don't think about it per se," said Williams.
Two-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova backed tennis authorities to rid the sport of any sort of corruption, but insisted she hadn't witnessed any foul play herself.
"I think it's in the best interests of players and the tour to keep the sport as clean as possible," said Sharapova.
"It's unfortunate that you do hear those things. Whether they're true you're not sure because sometimes it's just a bunch of rumours so unless you get a factsheet or facts they will remain rumours."
Men's world number four Nikolay Davydenko had to answer questions over betting irregularities after a surprise loss to Martin Vassallo Arguello last season. The Russian denied all involvement in any sort of corruption.