By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, February 21, 2024

During his playing days, James Blake earned a reputation as one of tennis' top sportsmen.

Today, Blake was fined $56,250 for breaching tennis' betting sponsorship rules.

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The International Tennis Integrity Agency "accepted that [Blake's] violation was unintentional" and fined Blake $56,250 with a further suspended fine of $131,250 and a suspended ban of 18 months.

Former world No. 4 Blake began his ban on February 9, 2024 and will not face the additional fine or suspension provided he does not violate the rules during the next 18 months. 

As Miami Open tournament director, Blake is considered a “covered person”, who must comply with the sport’s rules around relationships with betting operators.

The TACP rules state that: “No Covered Person shall directly or indirectly, facilitate, encourage and/or promote Tennis Betting (‘Facilitation’).”

“Across our members – the ATP, WTA, ITF and Grand Slams – the rules prohibit accredited individuals from having commercial relationships with betting companies," ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse said. "This case is more a matter of perception, rather than corruption.

"The rules apply to players, coaches, officials and accredited tournament staff - who all have the ability to influence results or have access to inside information. We urge anyone in the sport who is unclear or is considering commercial deals like this to get in touch with us to seek guidance.”

Read the full ITIA announcement of Blake's fine and suspension here.

Yonkers, N.Y. native Blake, a key member of the 2007 United States Davis Cup squad that defeated Russia to capture the Cup in Portland, is the third former member of the U.S. Davis Cup squad to get hit with a five-figure fine for betting promotion.

Back in 2022, former U.S. Davis Cup captain Mardy Fish and coach Bob Bryan were each fined $10,000 and issued suspended bans of four months after admitting the promotion of a gaming operator on social media.

Photo credit: Miami Open