Key Takeaways
- Stefan Milićević received a 24-year ban and a $70,000 fine from the ITIA.
- The 29-year-old fixed 5 matches, attempted 6 more, and recruited players into a fixing ring.
- The sanction was issued by default after Milićević ignored 7 contact attempts from integrity officials.
Massive penalty issued by the ITIA
Serbian tennis player Stefan Milićević has received a 24-year suspension from professional tennis alongside a $70,000 fine following extensive match-fixing violations. The International Tennis Integrity Agency handed down the severe punishment after finding the 29-year-old guilty of manipulating matches and orchestrating corruption within the sport.
According to findings, Milićević was involved in fixing 5 matches and attempting to manipulate 6 additional contests between 2022 and 2024. Beyond his direct participation in rigged fixtures, investigators discovered that he actively recruited other professional players into a corrupt network dedicated to fixing outcomes for betting purposes.
Default sanction after ignored inquiries
Milićević reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 1,338 and spent his professional career competing predominantly on lower-tier circuits. The disciplinary proceedings concluded without an official hearing after he failed to respond to 7 separate contact attempts by the ITIA, leading to a default judgment.
The ITIA underscored the necessity of safeguarding the integrity of professional tennis through stringent penalties, even as observers highlighted the sheer magnitude of the fine and suspension compared to the limited career prize money earned by players at that tier of the game.
