Tennis star issues furious statement after Wimbledon match-fixing allegation

Tennis star Nikoloz Basilashvili has released a furious statement after he and Aslan Karatsev found themselves at the center of match-fixing allegations over the weekend. The duo, who are both ranked in the top 50, have denied the allegations made against them.

On Sunday, German TV published a report claiming that the duo had been offered money to fix matches. The allegations against Basilashvili relate to his first round doubles match at Wimbledon last year when he and partner Radu Albot lost in straight sets to Marton Fucsovics and Stefano Travaglia.

During the match, remarkably high bets of up to £423,000 were placed. And a procedure is now underway with the International Agency for Tennis Integrity. But Basilashvili refuted all claims.

"I found out that the German media had mentioned my name in connection with an alleged match fixing," the Georgian said. "Such accusations have no basis and I deny them. I will not allow my reputation to be tarnished by unfounded and absurd accusations.

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“Therefore I demand that the media stop these allegations and lies. The public must be informed that I deny all these allegations. I have authorized a law firm in Germany to protect my interests and to fight the spread of misinformation in any way possible."

The report, meanwhile, tied Karatsev to five games with unusually high bets in which he would be involved. And two of them come from the time he worked with Belarusian coach Jahor Jacik, who also coached and traveled with Basilashvilli in the past.

Jacik and Karatsev were reportedly investigated by French police during the 2020 French Open, but nothing has happened since. The report also claims Russian Karatsev was allegedly involved in match fixing at this year's Stuttgart Open. Karacev also denied all allegations against him.

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As part of the report, ZDF spoke to an unnamed Eastern European coach, who said: "Yatsyk has been involved in repair for years, works with people who have to do with repair in Russia, in Eastern Europe. He always has a lot of money on him, is on tour and is looking for young players who have problems. Financial, mental. Players he can convince with money.

"Jacik worked closely with Karatsev, Basilashvilli - watched them for years. Both incredibly talented players. But they had financial problems early on and big bouts of weakness and slipped down the rankings. Each at a critical moment, he approached them.”