Ex-mafioso: tennis open to betting backhanders

FORMER mafia crime boss Michael Franzese says top-level tennis matches are being influenced by gamblers and the sport would be his prime focus were he still in the business of impacting outcomes.

Franzese, a former boss in the Colombo crime family, serves as a consultant and speaker regarding his days with the mob and has spoken with ATP players about the methods used to spread corruption in sport.

“It’s definitely going on,” Franzese said. “If I were in this business now, tennis would be my major target because one player can impact the game. That’s all you need.”