Tennis Match-Fixing Scandal 2026: Stefan Milicevic Banned 24 Years, Full ITIA Case, Rankings Fallout and What It Means for the Sport

Stefan Milicevic, a Serbian tennis player, has been banned for 24 years by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after admitting to fixing six matches and corrupting other players, the longest sanction handed down in modern tennis integrity history. The ban, confirmed on October 15, 2026, also carries a $100,000 fine and effectively ends the 27-year-old's professional career. The case, first reported by ESPN, the BBC and The Athletic, marks the most severe anti-corruption penalty since the ITIA was founded in 2008.

Who is Stefan Milicevic and why was he banned for 24 years?

Stefan Milicevic is a Serbian professional tennis player who competed primarily on the ITF World Tennis Tour and ATP Challenger circuit, and he was banned for 24 years after the ITIA found him guilty of six match-fixing charges plus multiple counts of corrupting other players. According to the ITIA's full decision published on October 15, 2026, Milicevic conspired with betting syndicates to manipulate specific games and sets across six matches between 2022 and 2025, and he recruited at least three other players into the scheme. The 24-year suspension is the longest individual ban ever issued by the ITIA, surpassing the 12-year ban given to Brazilian player Joao Souza in 2024.

What exactly did the ITIA investigation find?

The ITIA investigation found that Milicevic accepted payments totaling more than 180,000 euros to underperform in six matches, and that he acted as a recruiter who pressured lower-ranked players with financial incentives and threats. The agency's Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer, Amani Khalifa, ruled that Milicevic's conduct was "deliberate, sustained and predatory" and that the aggravating factors, including targeting young players, justified the maximum available sanction. The ITIA's 2026 Annual Integrity Report, released in September, recorded 47 new match-fixing alerts in the first three quarters of 2026, a 34 percent increase over the same period in 2025, according to the agency's official data.

How does this ban compare to other major tennis integrity sanctions?

The Milicevic ban is the longest in tennis history, more than double the previous record and far exceeding sanctions handed to other high-profile offenders. The table below compares the most significant ITIA and predecessor sanctions on record.

What does the ban mean for Milicevic's rankings and prize money?

Milicevic's ATP singles ranking, which peaked at No. 412 in 2023, will be frozen and then removed from the ATP system, and all prize money and ranking points earned during the period of the offenses will be forfeited. The ITIA confirmed that Milicevic must repay $100,000 in fines and that any future involvement in sanctioned tennis events, including coaching or accreditation, is prohibited for the duration of the ban. At 27, Milicevic would be 51 years old when the ban expires in 2050.

Why is match-fixing a growing problem in tennis in 2026?

Match-fixing is growing in tennis in 2026 because the explosion of legal sports betting, combined with low prize money at the ITF and Challenger levels, has created a powerful incentive for lower-ranked players to accept syndicate payments. According to the ITIA's 2026 report, 78 percent of all corruption alerts in 2026 involved players ranked outside the ATP top 200, and the average annual income for a player ranked between 300 and 500 is under $40,000 before travel costs. The ITIA has responded by expanding its education program to 12,000 players and launching a confidential reporting app in July 2026.

How have players and officials reacted to the Milicevic ruling?

Players and officials have largely welcomed the severity of the Milicevic ruling, with ATP Player Council representatives calling it a deterrent and ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse stating that the case shows "no player is beyond the reach of the integrity system." Novak Djokovic, speaking at the 2026 Paris Masters, said the ban sends a necessary message but warned that tennis must address the financial pressures on lower-ranked players. The Serbian Tennis Federation issued a statement on October 15, 2026, saying it would cooperate fully with the ITIA and review its own education programs.

What happens next in the ITIA's broader 2026 crackdown?

The ITIA is expected to announce further sanctions in the coming weeks, with at least four additional cases linked to the same betting syndicate still under investigation. The agency has also confirmed it is working with Europol and the UK Gambling Commission on a cross-border probe that could involve players from five countries. Tennis's four Grand Slam tournaments have pledged an additional $15 million to integrity funding through 2028, according to a joint statement released on October 14, 2026.

What does this mean for fans searching for tennis scores and live results?

For fans searching for tennis scores, the Milicevic case is a reminder that integrity alerts can affect results at every level, and the ITIA now publishes a public sanctions register updated weekly. The 2026 ATP and WTA seasons continue with the Paris Masters and WTA Finals, and live scores remain available through official ATP, WTA and ITF platforms. Fans looking for tennis rackets, tennis shoes or tennis balls should note that no equipment brands are implicated in the case, and the ITIA has not issued any advisory affecting retail products.

Key takeaways

• Stefan Milicevic received a 24-year ban, the longest in tennis integrity history, plus a $100,000 fine.
• The ITIA found six fixed matches and at least three corrupted players between 2022 and 2025.
• Match-fixing alerts rose 34 percent in the first three quarters of 2026, per the ITIA.
• 78 percent of 2026 corruption alerts involved players ranked outside the ATP top 200.
• Further sanctions linked to the same syndicate are expected within weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Stefan Milicevic?

Stefan Milicevic is a 27-year-old Serbian professional tennis player who competed on the ITF World Tennis Tour and ATP Challenger circuit, with a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 412 in 2023.

Why was Stefan Milicevic banned for 24 years?

He was banned for 24 years after the ITIA found him guilty of fixing six matches and corrupting at least three other players between 2022 and 2025, in connection with an international betting syndicate.

Is the 24-year ban the longest in tennis history?

Yes. The 24-year sanction is the longest individual ban ever issued by the ITIA, surpassing the 12-year ban given to Joao Souza in 2024.

Can Stefan Milicevic appeal the ban?

He can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days of the decision, but the ITIA has stated that the evidence includes bank records and witness testimony from cooperating players.

How does match-fixing affect tennis scores and rankings?

Fixed matches can distort rankings and prize money distribution, and the ITIA now forfeits all points and earnings from the period of the offenses, which can shift entry lists and seedings at future tournaments.

What is the ITIA doing to stop match-fixing in 2026?

The ITIA has expanded education to 12,000 players, launched a confidential reporting app in July 2026, and is working with Europol and the UK Gambling Commission on a cross-border investigation.