Ferrero and Luini, both 31-year-old players, have been suspended for three and seven years, respectively. They are prohibited from playing, training, or attending any events on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) or Men’s Tennis Association (ATP) circuits.

These sanctions are directly linked to the betting syndicate that was dismantled in Belgium, which involved several cheating athletes. The ITIA and Belgian authorities have worked closely together to capture and secure a five-year prison sentence for the syndicate leader, Grigor Sargsyan.

The ITIA is an independent body established to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity and transparency of professional tennis globally. Therefore, in light of such incidents that tarnish the sport's reputation, the penalties are severe.

The independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO), Diana Tesic, was the one who ultimately dismantled this illegal operation. Both players have been inactive since 23 July of this year, with their suspensions extending for different periods. Ferrero’s suspension will end on 22 July 2027, while Luini’s, which is more severe, will last until 22 July 2031.

Ferrero, whose highest WTA ranking was 731 in May 2015, did not respond to the 12 ITIA charges related to three matches in 2017 and 2018. These anti-sporting practices included facilitating betting, manipulating match outcomes, accepting money to lose, and, of course, failing to report dishonest activities.

By not responding to the ITIA charges, Ferrero, caught between a rock and a hard place, admitted her responsibility and accepted the sanctions. In addition to her three-year suspension, Tesic imposed a $15,000 fine on the South American player.

Luini, who fared worse, can boast of having reached the top 500 in the WTA rankings. The young player performed well in tournaments until she faced 24 charges related to six matches between 2017 and 2018. Naturally, she was accused of the same offenses as her compatriot and friend, Ferrero.

The corresponding hearing was held on 15 May, 2024, where the Anti-Corruption Hearing confirmed up to 22 charges against Luini and imposed a fine nearly double that of her counterpart, around $30,000, as well as a seven-year suspension, also double the length of Ferrero’s.

With these new scandals, Argentina now faces a catastrophe that it cannot be proud of. There have been eight suspensions of Argentine players, historically known for their tradition in racket sports, between 2018 and 2024. This places the Argentine federation as the second worldwide in terms of the highest number of players punished for match-fixing, only behind France.

Illegal betting networks have considerable control in the world of tennis, and while the ITIA strives to combat these practices, the true impact falls on the players. In a sport marked by significant economic disparity, where a few fortunate individuals can make a living solely from tennis while the majority struggle to make ends meet, match-fixing exacerbates this inequality. This situation highlights the urgent need for stricter and more effective measures to protect the sport's integrity and ensure a fairer environment for all competitors.