Sportsbetting: Wozniacki’s tennis match under investigation

Since being added to online sports betting websites, tennis has found itself under investigation several times due to potential cheating allegations. Players have been punished or fined for deliberately losing a game or creating a certain statistical result, or because they have even bet against themselves on occasion!

The latest case under investigation is different from previous occurrences. Caroline Wozniacki, a nineteen year old Danish player who is sixth in the world rankings and was a finalist at the most recent U.S. Open, is involved. Although she was leading a match at the Luxembourg Open with a score of 7-5 and 5-0, Wozniaki withdrew in the middle of the match. It was stated at the time she quit the match against Anne Kremer of Luxembourg due to a hamstring injury.

Wozniaki’s father, who was on the court during the match, told his daughter she should forfeit when she was up 3-0 in the second set. He felt it was better to withdraw at this point because the hamstring issue would prevent her from playing in the second round of the tournament regardless. The decision to play an extra two games aroused suspicion that Wozniaki waited a bit to allow bettors to put money on Kramer.

Although it is unlikely that Wozniacki’s behavior was done intentionally to cheat the game, it is possible she will be fined for not having paid enough attention to the rules of the Tennis Integrity Unit, the sport’s regulatory body.