Tennis Umpire Faces 10-Year Ban for Gambling Violations

The ITIA, responsible for upholding the integrity of professional tennis globally, rigorously monitors the sport. This regulatory body enforces strict penalties against tennis officials and athletes engaged in unlawful activities.

The ITIA confirmed on Thursday that it had imposed sanctions on Marko Ducman, an international-level tennis official from Slovenia. Ducman admitted to four TACP breaches, including wagering on tennis matches, manipulating match data, and engaging in betting activities throughout his career.

In response to these breaches, Ducman received a hefty 10-year and six-month ban from the sport. This ban, which began on September 8, 2023, will conclude on March 7, 2034. Additionally, the ITIA fined Ducman $75,000, with a portion suspended. The umpire accepted the agreed sanction, forfeiting his right to a hearing before an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer.

Apart from the suspension, Ducman is prohibited from officiating at any tennis event sanctioned by the governing bodies of tennis. Attending such events is also off-limits for the banned umpire.

This recent sanction echoes the ITIA's commitment to maintaining the integrity of tennis. It follows the provisional suspension of French player Maxence Broville in September for non-compliance with ITIA demands. Earlier this year, the ITIA banned French player Alexis Musialek for life due to multiple breaches related to match-fixing, revealing a total of 39 TACP rule violations.