The International Tennis Federation said Sunday there will be an investigation into Japanese player Akiko Morigami's allegation that a national team coach suggested she throw a doubles match at the French Open to help partner Aiko Nakamura's chances of qualifying for the Olympics.
According to media reports in Japan, Morigami said the coach wanted Nakamura freed up so she could compete in another tournament in singles with a chance to improve her ranking. Nakamura is ranked 71st, close to the cutoff for making the Olympics.
Rosters for Beijing will be determined based on rankings of June 9.
Morigami and Nakamura lost their first-round match Friday at Roland Garros to Chan Yung-jan and Chuang Chia-Jung of Taiwan 6-0, 6-1.
"The ITF takes this allegation very seriously and, with the Grand Slams and the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, has zero tolerance for any attempt to influence the outcome of a match," the ITF said in a statement. "It is especially disappointing for the ITF because even the suggestion of impropriety regarding the Olympic tennis event is contrary to the spirit of the Olympic Games."
It wasn't immediately clear whether Morigami identified the coach. French Open referee Stefan Fransson and Grand Slam supervisors will investigate, the ITF said.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Meiner Meinung nach natürlich nicht schön, aber bei weitem nicht so schlimm wie Doping und Wettmanipulationen.
According to media reports in Japan, Morigami said the coach wanted Nakamura freed up so she could compete in another tournament in singles with a chance to improve her ranking. Nakamura is ranked 71st, close to the cutoff for making the Olympics.
Rosters for Beijing will be determined based on rankings of June 9.
Morigami and Nakamura lost their first-round match Friday at Roland Garros to Chan Yung-jan and Chuang Chia-Jung of Taiwan 6-0, 6-1.
"The ITF takes this allegation very seriously and, with the Grand Slams and the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, has zero tolerance for any attempt to influence the outcome of a match," the ITF said in a statement. "It is especially disappointing for the ITF because even the suggestion of impropriety regarding the Olympic tennis event is contrary to the spirit of the Olympic Games."
It wasn't immediately clear whether Morigami identified the coach. French Open referee Stefan Fransson and Grand Slam supervisors will investigate, the ITF said.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Meiner Meinung nach natürlich nicht schön, aber bei weitem nicht so schlimm wie Doping und Wettmanipulationen.