Roger fed up of betting talk

Roger Federer has spoken of his disappointment about the match-fixing storm currently engulfing tennis.

Andy Murray hit the headlines last week after he suggested all the players “know it goes on” with regards to the alleged corruption in the sport, comments he subsequently said were taken out of context.

The ATP are also investigating a match two months ago involving Russian Nikolay Davydenko and Argentinian player Martin Vassallo, where suspicious betting patterns emerged.

The Russian’s price drifted out despite him winning the first set and he later pulled out of the match due to injury. Davydenko denies any wrongdoing.

Speaking today at the Madrid Masters, world number one Federer said: “We had the issue a couple of years ago when there was speculation about (Yevgeny) Kafelnikov. That was quickly resolved, nobody spoke about it ever again.

“I never thought anyway that it’s happening in tennis, I’ve never been approached, so to hear this subject come up again, but more seriously... The thing is also more players have been asked this time around, because it is one of the top players and the case has not been solved.

“The press has been asking many different players and many players have given different answers, which is why this whole thing has become a story.

“I’m disappointed because I honestly don’t think it is happening in our sport, and I hope that if there are any they will be caught, because it is not supposed to happen.”

Federer was pleased tennis’ governing bodies were taking steps to confront the issue.

The International Tennis Federation, the ATP, the WTA Tour and the Grand Slam Committee – who insist their sport does not have a match-fixing problem - announced on Friday plans for an independent analysis into the risk of players throwing matches.

“I think it is good that they, the ATP, ITF and I guess also even the WTA, have brought themselves together to try and stop the people, maybe not the players, but the people from doing it,” said Federer.

“If you are a fan, you can do it, but you shouldn’t know what is going on in the inside world of tennis and this is maybe the problem we have.”