Andy Murray would not be surprised if players ranked in the top 50 were fixing matches and has called for better education on the pitfalls of corruption
Brit grit: Britain's Andy Murray celebrates after beating Germany's Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday
Melbourne: Andy Murray would not be surprised if players ranked in the top 50 were fixing matches and has called for better education on the pitfalls of corruption.
Brit grit: Britain's Andy Murray celebrates after beating Germany's Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. Pic/AFP
Murray thrashed 18-year-old German Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the Australian Open yesterday but questions after his win were dominated by the recent allegations of match-fixing in tennis.
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An investigation carried out by the BBC and Buzzfeed has claimed that a group of 16 players were repeatedly flagged up as suspicious to the sport's governing bodies, but have been allowed to continue playing unchecked.
When Murray was asked if he would be surprised, the Scot said: "No, not really."
Murray, who says he has never been approached to fix matches, believes tennis authorities must do more to ensure young players are better educated about the dangers of corruption.
"I've been aware of it (match-fixing) since I was quite young and when people come with big sums of money, at that age, some people can make mistakes," Murray said.
"It's important that younger players are better educated and made more aware of what they should do in those situations and how decisions can affect your career. Across all sports I don't think that's done well."
The allegations have brought scrutiny on the Australian Open's partnership with betting company William Hill, which is a major sponsor of the tournament.
"I'm not really pro that. I think it's a little bit hypocritical. I don't believe players are allowed to be sponsored by betting companies, but tournaments are. I don't understand how it all works. It's a bit strange," he said.
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