About the TIU
The Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) is the anti-corruption body covering all professional tennis around the world. It is responsible for enforcing the sport’s zero-tolerance policy on betting-related corruption. In doing so it has three main strategic priorities – preventing corruption from taking place; investigation and prosecution of offenders; delivering anti-corruption education for players and stakeholders to recognise and report corrupt activity. The TIU is an operationally independent organisation reporting to an independent Supervisory Board. Based in London, it is entirely funded by the sport's seven major stakeholders – the International Tennis Federation, ATP, WTA, Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
The TIU
In 2008, tennis was among the first sports to establish its own anti-corruption body. All 'Covered Persons' are bound by the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program, which gives the TIU the right to interview and obtain, with consent, suspects' phones, tablets, lap tops and financial records. Investigations are opened at any time, into any covered person. Offenders are subject to lifetime bans and fines up to US$250,000. In helping to prevent corruption, the TIU works with the sport to make it as difficult as possible for would-be corruptors to access players and tournaments. Player education is critical. All players complete an online Tennis Integrity Protection Program which explains grooming techniques and the process of reporting corrupt approaches.
Jonny Gray
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Jonny Gray joined the TIU as its first CEO in February 2020. He is responsible for leading the continued growth and development of the organisation as it evolves into a broader-based, independent legal entity for both anti-corruption and anti-doping functions. After a distinguished and decorated military career, Jonny spent 15 years as a senior partner with Control Risks, including heading up its global Sports practice.
Nigel Willerton
DIRECTOR of INTEGRITY
Nigel Willerton, a former senior officer with the Metropolitan Police in London, is the TIU's Director of Integrity. The Unit currently has a team of twenty one full time staff.
The TIU Team
Since 2016 TIU staffing has more than tripled to a current headcount of 21 highly-experienced individuals. Collectively, this team provide tennis with enormous expertise covering of all aspects of corruption investigations, intelligence gathering and analysis and education and training. Operationally, the TIU has the authority to investigate potential corruption anywhere in the world, with Investigators regularly travelling to tournaments and events to interview persons of interest.
Tennis Integrity Supervisory Board
In February 2019 Jennie Price CBE, was appointed as Chair of a new independent Tennis Integrity Supervisory Board. A former CEO of Sport England, Jennie was subsequently joined on the Board by four highly qualified independent members.
Left to right - Bob Harayda, Avril Martindale, Jennie Price CBE, Sal Perna AM
Avril Martindale
A senior lawyer and partner in Freshfields Bruckhaus Derringer
Sal Perna AM
The Racing Integrity Commissioner for the state of Victoria, Australia, responsible for integrity assurance in thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing
Bob Harayda
An international executive and former Senior Vice President, Finance, at the Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore
Sir Philip Craven MBE
The former President of the International Paralympic Committee and member of the International Olympic Committee and British Olympic Association
Membership of the nine-person Board also includes senior representatives from the four International Governing Bodies of tennis, the ATP, WTA, ITF and Grand Slam Board.
Prevention
The TIU works closely with the sport to prevent would-be corruptors gaining access to player-only areas of tournaments. Standard protocols include the global sharing of a TIU-maintained list of individuals regarded as unsuitable to receive credentials. Rules also prevent unauthorised transmission of scoring data from tournaments.
Investigation
The operational work of the TIU is governed by the sport's anti-corruption code, known as the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). This provides the authority to interview any Covered Person and obtain, with consent, cell phones, tablets, laptops and financial records. Investigations can be opened at any time, in any part of the world, into any any person covered by the TACP. Visit the Investigations and Sanctions page for details of all players and officials sanctioned as a result of TIU investigations.
Education
Player education is critical. All players complete a compulsory Tennis Integrity Protection Programme (TIPP). This covers grooming techniques and correct reporting of approaches. A confidential 24-7 email reporting line is a successful channel of communicating with players. TIPP is supplemented by other educational materials and presentations to players and officials. In 2017 a dedicated three-person TIU Education and Training division was established to expand the reach and scope of the program.
TIU History
2008
TIU established under the leadership of Jeff Rees, following acceptance of recommendations in the Environmental Review of Tennis.
2009
Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Program adopted as universal anti-corruption code for all professional tennis.
2010
The first player is sanctioned under the code, for failing to report a corrupt approach.
2011
Daniel Koellerer is the first player banned for life, for match fixing offences.
2013
Nigel Willerton replaces Jeff Rees as Director of Integrity.
2016
Independent Review Panel established to report on the effectiveness of the TACP and make recommendations for change. TIU staffing doubled from five to 10 full time employees.
2017
A dedicated three-person TIU Education and Training division was established to extend the range and scope of education for players and officials
2018
TIU headcount increased to 17 full time members of staff.
The Independent Review Panel published its Interim and Final reports - www.tennisirp.com
2019
Jennie Price CBE appointed as independent Chair of the Tennis Integrity Supervisory Board. Four additional independent members join the Board: Sir Philip Craven, Avril Martindale, Sal Perna AM, Bob Harayda
Jonathan 'Jonny' Gray recruited as first Chief Executive Officer of the TIU, effective February 2020
2020
Jonny Gray takes on leadership of the TIU with a remit to oversee the integration of anti-corruption and anti-doping functions into a new independent company with its own legal status
Vacancies
There are no current vacancies at the TIU.