In January 2025, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced harsh sanctions against six tennis players involved in a widespread match-fixing scandal. This case primarily concerns a network run by criminal Grigor Sargsyan, whose conviction in 2023 to a five-year prison sentence did not end the investigations. The ITIA continues its efforts by banning additional players, including French and Argentine ones. These suspensions underline the organisation’s determination to rid the sport of criminal influences.
The Grigor Sargsyan Case: A Far-reaching Network
The case began in 2023 when Grigor Sargsyan, a Belgian businessman of Armenian descent, was arrested for leading an influential match-fixing syndicate. Sargsyan and his accomplices manipulated numerous matches during 2017 and 2018. Several players were involved in this scandal, some of whom pleaded guilty and accepted the sanctions without contest.
The six new bans are Jérôme Inzerillo, David Guez, Romain Bauvy, Yannick Jankovits, François-Arthur Vibert, and Agustin Moyano. These players, after being linked to Sargsyan’s cartel, received suspensions ranging from two to fifteen years, along with heavy fines.
The French Players at the Heart of the Scandal
Among the six sanctioned players, five are former or current French players. Inzerillo, formerly ranked 354th in the world, is suspended for five years and seven months, a sanction compounded by a $50,000 fine (partially suspended). David Guez, formerly 116th in the world, will serve a four-year suspension and a $25,000 fine. Romain Bauvy, ranked 758th in doubles, also faces a similar penalty, delaying his return to competition.
These three players admitted to the charges against them, including agreeing to fix matches in exchange for bribes. However, their actions have also been widely criticised by the tennis community, which highlights how some players were manipulated by this criminal network.
The Case of the Defiant Players
The other three players, Yannick Jankovits, François-Arthur Vibert, and Agustin Moyano, resisted the charges, seeking to appeal to an independent authority. However, their requests were rejected, and their suspensions were upheld.
Jankovits, formerly ranked 226th in the world, is banned from any tennis activity until October 2026. Vibert, who had reached 591st in the world rankings, faces a suspension of over two years. Finally, the Argentine Moyano, formerly 1343rd in the world, is suspended for an impressive period of 15 years, making him one of the most severe cases linked to this scandal.
The ITIA on High Alert: A Relentless Fight Against Corruption
The ITIA has intensified its efforts to eradicate corruption in the sport. Since Sargsyan’s arrest, the agency has implemented strict controls and enhanced its surveillance of competitions. Many other players have already been sanctioned as part of this same investigation, including Belgians such as Arnaud Graisse and Arthur de Greef.
The sanctions imposed on the six recent players are part of a series of measures aimed at sending a clear message: any form of cheating will be ruthlessly punished. The ITIA does not simply suspend cheaters; it seeks to halt the progress of these networks, which continue to threaten the integrity of the sport.
An Uncertain Future for the Players Involved
For these players, the future now appears uncertain. Their careers, marked by cheating, seem irreparable. The bans on participating in tournaments affect them not only in their sporting careers but also in their professional lives and public image. Beyond the financial penalties, the fines add to the weight of their mistakes.
The consequences of these actions will be felt for years to come, and tennis continues to recover from the fallout of this case. As the ITIA presses on with its work, players and the public are waiting for even more drastic measures to safeguard the credibility of the sport. The shadow of match-fixing remains a persistent threat to world tennis.