Tennis chiefs are to set up an 'integrity unit' to combat possible corruption and match-fixing in the sport.
Four agencies come together to tackle gambling concerns
The four leading organisations in professional tennis are to join forces in a bid to tackle the problem of match-fixing in the sport.
Gambling on the outcome of minor matches has become a hot topic in the sport, with suspicions growing that players have been offered bribes to throw matches.
British number one Andy Murray is the latest player to speak out about the problem, saying 'everyone knows' that match-fixing goes on.
Now the ATP Tour, the Grand Slam Committee, the International Tennis Federation and the WTA Tour have agreed to set up a unit to investigate corruption in the sport.
Plans advanced
Etienne de Villiers, executive chairman of the ATP, said: "We see the establishment of a dedicated global 'Tennis Integrity Unit' as a key priority for the sport and plans to create one are well advanced.
"We have had a number of very constructive meetings on the issue this year and will be meeting again this week, with external experts, to discuss the next steps in ensuring a unit becomes a reality as soon as possible."
Two months ago, all bets on a match in Poland between Russian Nikolay Davydenko and Argentinian player Martin Vassallo Arguello were suspended after suspicious betting patterns emerged. An ATP investigation is still going on but both players deny any wrongdoing.
Since then, other revelations have emerged from players who say they have been approached to throw matches.
Gilles Elseneer claimed he was offered €100,000 to lose his first-round match at Wimbledon in 2005 while fellow Belgian Dick Norman revealed he has been asked to provide in-depth information on other players' fitness.
Former British Davis Cup player Arvind Parmar has also claimed he was offered money to lose a match at a low-key ATP Challenger event.
