ITIA cracks down: Russian and two Serbian players sidelined under Anti-Corruption Program
ATPTuesday, 24 February 2026 at 02:30
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has confirmed that three players — Russia’s Mark Kaufman and Serbia’s Draginja Vukovic and Mila Masic — have been provisionally suspended pending the full consideration of charges under the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). The governing body announced the measures on Monday, outlining separate grounds for each case under the program’s disciplinary framework.
According to the ITIA, “Suspensions have been issued to Mark Kaufman, from Russia, under TACP section F.3.b.i.1 (failure to comply with a Demand), and Draginja Vukovic and Mila Masic, from Serbia, under TACP section F.3.b.i.4 (likelihood of a Major Offense).” The provisional sanctions restrict the players from competing or participating in sanctioned events while proceedings continue.
Kaufman, 20, reached a career-high world doubles ranking of 2023 in September 2025. He has been provisionally suspended since 24 December 2025. On 9 January 2026, he exercised his right to appeal the sanction before an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO). However, after notifying AHO Panel President Professor Richard McLaren of his intention to withdraw from proceedings, the case was delayed. With no further correspondence received, AHO Diana Tesic dismissed the appeal on 18 February 2026.
Masic, 28, achieved a career-high singles ranking of 875 in December 2024 and has also been suspended since 24 December 2025. He appealed his provisional suspension on 23 January 2026, but AHO Charles Hollander KC dismissed that appeal on 19 February 2026. Vukovic, 25, who reached a career-high singles ranking of 527 in September 2025, has been suspended since 17 December 2025 and elected not to appeal.
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Scope of the provisional suspensions
During their provisional suspensions, the three players are barred from “playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned” by ITIA members, including the ATP, ITF, WTA, or national associations as Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and the USTA - as other national federations as well.
The ITIA stated it remains an independent body established by tennis stakeholders to safeguard integrity across professional events worldwide. The cases will proceed under the TACP framework, with full consideration of the charges to follow.
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