Corruption

Tennis cheats: Is there an algorithm for corruption?

Like millions around the world, I’m glued to the Australia Open and captivated by the fitness and abilities I can only dream of. But the gloss of tennis has been tarnished for me ever since the joint Buzzfeed and BBC reports revealed suspected illegal betting in tennis matches and led them to claim that 15 players were involved in match fixing.

Investigative reporters analyzed thousands of tennis players and matches and found an algorithm for corruption: namely losses plus lopsided betting from syndicates in Russia, Italy, and Sicily equals possible match fixing.

There are experts who say the algorithm doesn't indicate match fixing. But there are players who tell us otherwise. Novak Djokovic said he was offered $200,000 in 2007 to throw a first-round match in Russia. He refused the bribe and now has an estimated net worth of $90 million, proving that talent pays more than corruption.