Police probe clears Australia’s Tomic after tennis match-fixing suspicions

Imago

Australian tennis star Bernard Tomic has been embroiled in a match-fixing scandal after police launched an investigation into suspicious betting patterns around two matches he played in, including his participation in the 2022 Australian Open. 

Detectives commenced the probe in the early months of 2022 after online bookies reported suspicious bets placed on an Australian Open qualifying tie involving the 32-year-old and the Russian player Roman Safiullin which the latter won 6-1, 6-4.

 Check out the best UK bookmakers to claim free bets worth up to £850!

That followed another match in Turkey that Tomic played in, months earlier, with Frenchman Quentin Halys recording a 6-0, 6-1 victory.

As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH), police task force Whyman was set-up to investigate the matter but the process was concluded after insufficient evidence was uncovered to bring criminal charges, leaving Tomic free to continue his tennis career.

Tomic, a former world number 17 and Wimbledon quarter-finalist in 2011, has garnered a spiky reputation over the years with notable spats on the court with officials and fans.

Last week, the German-born player was unsuccessful in his attempts to qualify for this year’s Australian Open contest, falling at the first hurdle to Slovakia’s Jozef Kovalik. 

A separate investigation was opened by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which included the confiscation of Tomic’s phone and an interview to seek answers on the situation.

The SMH stated the independent body has mothballed its investigation with no further action to be taken unless subsequent information comes to light.

Tennis Australia also confirmed it had co-operated with requests from law enforcement authorities at home and abroad in relation to auspicious betting patterns. 

“Tennis Australia’s integrity team has worked with the ITIA and law enforcement agencies since first alerted to concerns relating to betting activity in tennis,” said a spokesman.

The spokesman continued: “[Tennis Australia] integrity’s role in any investigation has predominantly been one of support throughout. We have been advised there is no current police investigation into this matter,” he added.

The Australian press report detailed sources who claimed three New South Wales individuals were linked to Tomic, either directly or via a close relative.

The trio placed bets on both matches under the spotlight, with winnings ranging from payouts of £5,000 to £90,000.

Police intimated four betting outlets were used by the gamblers, but at least one refused to pay out the winnings due to the red flag issues, prompting a tip-off to Tennis Australia.

The sports body instantly raised the alarm with the police and the ITIA, leading to the multi-agency probe. 

A task force like Whyman is only instigated when there is the basis of serious criminal suspicions, requiring a joined-up response. 

NSW Police led the investigation with assistance from Victoria and Queensland police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, but ultimately no criminal charges followed the Whyman probe. 

Here at FIRST.com, our specialist tennis tipster Richard Trenchard has outlined his tips for the upcoming action in the 2025 Australian Open with more action to unfold this weekend at Melbourne Park.