“Tennis players at risk of severe sanctions for integrity violations.”

Tennis is once again in the spotlight as the sport faces a series of stringent sanctions imposed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). In a decisive move to preserve the integrity of the game, the ITIA has issued provisional suspensions to three players under the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP), signaling a firm commitment to combating corruption in professional tennis.

The players targeted by these severe measures include Russian Mark Kaufman and Serbians Draginja Vukovic and Mila Masic. Mark Kaufman, 20, who reached his highest doubles ranking of 2023 in September 2025, was suspended for failing to comply with a requirement under section F.3.b.i.1 of the TACP. His provisional suspension has been in effect since December 24, 2025. On January 9, 2026, Kaufman attempted to appeal the suspension before an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO), but complications arose when he decided to withdraw from the process. Consequently, his appeal was rejected on February 18, 2026, by AHO Diana Tesic.

Mila Masic, 28, is also provisionally suspended since December 24, 2025, due to the likelihood of having committed a Major Offense under section F.3.b.i.4 of the TACP. Masic, who achieved her best singles ranking of 875 in December 2024, attempted to contest the suspension on January 23, 2026, but her appeal was rejected on February 19, 2026, by AHO Charles Hollander KC.

Draginja Vukovic, 25, who reached her highest singles ranking of 527th place in September 2025, has been provisionally suspended since December 17, 2025. Unlike Masic, Vukovic chose not to appeal the suspension, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.

During provisional suspensions, these players are prohibited from participating in, training for, or attending any tennis events sanctioned by ITIA members. This includes tournaments organized by the ATP, WTA, and ITF, as well as Grand Slam events such as Wimbledon.

The ITIA reaffirmed its independence and its mission to promote and safeguard the integrity of the sport. As these cases progress under the TACP framework, full hearings will be held to determine the final outcomes. The recent wave of suspensions underscores the ITIA’s strict stance against corruption, demonstrating that preserving the integrity of tennis is an absolute priority.

The year 2026 has already begun turbulently for tennis, with several players receiving severe penalties for violations of anti-corruption rules. The ITIA has intensified its scrutiny, reflecting a determined effort to eradicate corruption from the sport. Earlier this month, Brazilian Gustavo Tedesco, 21, was sanctioned for six infractions occurring since 2022, including match-fixing in the World Tennis Tour. Tedesco received a suspension of two years and three months, in addition to a fine of £10,955 ($14,926).

In a particularly serious case, 27-year-old Russian Gyulnara Nazarova was suspended for four years after being found guilty of corrupt approaches to another player in 2019. Having not competed professionally since 2020, she was also fined £7,307 ($9,956), leaving her suspended until 2030.

Additionally, 32-year-old Argentine Hernán Casanova admitted to betting on several matches between 2023 and 2025, resulting in a two-month suspension and a $2,000 fine. His period of ineligibility began on February 4, 2026.

With the imposition of these severe sanctions, the ITIA sends a clear message: corruption will not be tolerated in tennis, regardless of a player’s status or ranking. Constant monitoring and disciplinary actions reflect a fundamental commitment to the principles of fair play and transparency in a sport that has already faced various scandals. The integrity of tennis is at stake, and the demands have never been higher.