Former US tennis star James Blake has to pay a $56,250 fine after violating the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) gambling sponsorship regulations. The 44-year-old was an ambassador for BetRivers in 2021 and 2022.
The current Miami Open Tournament Director will now serve an 18-month probationary period after fully cooperating with the investigation and accepting the punishment. If he violates any further rules, he will receive an 18-month suspension and have to pay a fine of $131,250.
more a matter of perception, rather than corruption”
Talking about the offense, ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse said that it’s “more a matter of perception, rather than corruption.” She explained that the rules are in place not just for players, but also for tournament staff, officials, and coaches who might have insider information or could potentially influence the outcome of games. The ITAI does not allow anyone in the tennis world to partner with a gambling company.
James Blake was a prominent tennis player before retiring in 2013. His best finish in a Grand Slam was the quarter-finals on three occasions and he won ten singles titles during his career. He was also on the 2007 winning US Davis Cup team.
Blake is not the first person in the US tennis scene to fall foul of the ITIA’s sponsorship rules. Coaches Mardy Fish and Bob Bryan both paid $10,000 fines and served four-month suspensions in 2022 for promoting DraftKings through their social media accounts.