The Age argues in its editorial titled Off-court controversy tarnishes tennis fest that it is a shame the Australian Open has been overshadowed by the match fixing scandals and ructions at Tennis Australia.
It is a shame off-court controversies have marred the first week of the Australian Open, the first of the four grand slam tournaments on the world's tennis calendar.
The riveting on-court cut and thrust, the thrilling athleticism and skill, have been all but overshadowed by the spectre of global corruption in the form of match-fixing and, separately, by ructions at Tennis Australia, domestically the sport's organising and governing body.
First, a joint investigation by the British Broadcasting Corporation and online media organisation BuzzFeed, based on a cache of leaked documents and strategically released on the eve of the Australian Open, presented evidence of years of match-fixing by players in the upper echelons of men's professional tennis.
Some of the players alleged to have been involved in scams dating back close to a decade are competing in Melbourne, understandably causing concern they might not have the unimpeachable integrity fans have a right to demand.
Then, mid-week, came the news Tennis Australia was in turmoil as three of its nine directors, including the only two women on the board, had suddenly resigned.
Tennis Australia's image is at further risk thanks to its choice of marketing partner for the Australian Open, gambling purveyor William Hill.
