The tennis world was rocked a couple of months ago, when ATP player Mikael Ymer was suspended for 18 months due to anti-doping violations. Ymer’s ban was a reminder of the high cost of failing to follow all the guidelines. Attempts to keep the sport clean lead to cases that effectively end the careers of players. The integrity of tennis is now in the news once again. But this time anti-doping violations are not the issue. It is a charge of anti-corruption. The ATP player involved is not as well-known as Ymer. But a player being linked to an anti-corruption charge is still a major story.
ATP Player Provisionally Suspended on Anti-Corruption Charges
Which Player Has Been Suspended?
Dragos Nicolae Madaras has been provisionally suspended on anti-corruption charges. This decision was taken by the International Tennis Integrity Agency. (ITIA) The ITIA is an independent body established by the governing bodies of tennis to promote, encourage, enhance and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide. Madaras has been unable to compete, or even attend any ATP Tour events since 17 August 2023, due to these charges. The suspension was imposed under section F.3.b i.1, which is when a “covered person has failed to comply with a demand”.
Madaras appealed against the provisional suspension given to him. However, that appeal was dismissed by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Professor Richard McLaren on September 22, 2023. It is unclear how long the process will take for the ATP player from this point. There was much controversy about the length of time it took to reach a decision in relation to Simona Halep, when the Romanian was provisionally suspended. It took a full year for a verdict to be reached in that case. Halep was eventually handed a four-year ban for anti-doping offences.
There Have Been Previous Concerns About Madaras
This is not the first time there has been controversy surrounding Madaras. Gambling expert Stefano Berlincioni expressed concerns about him back in 2020. Madaras reached the quarterfinals of the M15 Antalya ITF event. Yet mysteriously, the Swede’s match was the only one not given any odds by bookmakers. This does not conclusively prove that Madaras is guilty now in 2023. But it is certainly highly unusual, and does raise more legitimate concerns about his activity.
Madaras will hope for a quicker resolution to his case. He has a career-high ATP ranking of #191, and is currently hope this does not end his career. But he is provisionally suspended for now on anti-corruption charges.
Main Photo: ITF Logo
