Bernard Tomic was subject to match-fixing police probe in relation to suspicious betting patterns at Australian Open

Friday, 17 January 2025 at 09:06

News emerged from the Australian Open that Bernard Tomic, the Aussie tennis star was probed on potential match fixing allegations surrounding betting back in 2022 after it was uncovered that two games had suspicious betting patterns.

Police strike force Whyman was launched in early 2022 after suspicious bets were made via online bookmakers on his Australian Open qualifying match against Roman Safiullin as well as one in Turkey the year before.

The probe ended after months of investigation which failed to produce enough evidence for criminal charges. This enabled Tomic to continue playing on the tour including last week's unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the Australian Open.

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Further information from The Age stated that detectives investigated the suspicious wagering successfully by three NSW men who authorities suspected were linked to Tomic either personally or via proxy.

These three placed huge bets on the match which resulted in pay-outs of between $10,000 to $180,000. At least one of these firms refused to pay out leading to Tennis Australia being informed. They immediately contacted police and the ITIA and that supposedly Tomic had no suggestion that he was behind it.

“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,” an ITIA spokesperson said as per The Age.

“[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.”

The match in question at the 2022 Australian Open was infamous in itself as Tomic famously said that he had COVID-19. “For sure in the next two days I will test positive, I’m telling you. I’m telling you,” Tomic said. “I will buy you dinner if I don’t test positive in three days. Otherwise you buy me dinner."

While the one in Istanbul was red flagged as clients consistently placed bets of between $10,000 and $100,000. Tomic was interviewed by authorities who demanded his mobile phone and he only appeared for the first time since at the Australian Open last week losing easily to Josef Kovalik.

Australian reports reveal former world No. 17 Bernard Tomic was under investigation for match-fixing,but no charges were filed.

His phone was seized in a probe involving two matches, including a 2022 AO qualifier.

This was never reported by @itia_tennis.

Detailed breakdown: ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/8Zl2ZyvxK2
— edgeAI (@edgeAIapp) January 17, 2025

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