When it comes to rules, the ITIA doesn’t hold back. This year alone, several players have learned that the hard way, whether through hefty fines or outright bans. One of the most striking cases was that of 31-year-old Thai player Jatuporn Na Lamphun, who was handed a lifetime ban after being found guilty of fixing 22 matches between 2023 and 2024 under the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program. And now, two more players have found themselves added to that growing list.

On Tuesday, November 4, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced new sanctions. David Marrero, the 45-year-old Spaniard and former doubles star who once ranked as high as world No. 5, and Malek Jaziri, the 41-year-old Tunisian and current Davis Cup captain, have both accepted penalties for breaking the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program’s wildcard rules. Marrero admitted to paying and offering to pay for wildcards on four occasions between 2022 and 2023.

His punishment is severe. He’s been handed a suspension of two years and seven months, starting from October 21, 2025, until May 20, 2028. He also received a $15,000 fine, with $10,000 of it suspended. Meanwhile, Jaziri admitted to one breach involving Marrero. His ban lasts nine months, from October 28, 2025, to July 27, 2026. He’s fined $5,000, though half the amount is suspended.

The ITIA revealed that Jaziri admitted “to involvement in one breach of the TACP’s wildcard rules with Marrero.” According to Section D.1.k. of the anti-corruption code, “No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, offer, pay or accept any money, benefit or Consideration for the provision of a wildcard to an Event.” And as per the official definition, a covered person “refers to any Player, Related Person, or Tournament Support Personnel.” It’s a rule with no room for missteps, and the agency made sure that message came through loud and clear.

Both players must sit out all official tennis events while their bans are in place. That means no playing, coaching, or showing up at tournaments under the ATP, WTA, ITF, or majors like Wimbledon and the US Open.

As the ITIA put it, “The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of their professional tennis events.” The punishment sent shockwaves through Tunisian tennis as Jaziri cannot continue his duties as Davis Cup captain during his suspension. And he’s not the first Davis Cup captain to find himself in trouble with the ITIA this year.

On September 10, the ITIA suspended Team Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt for two weeks and fined him AU$30,000 under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. The charge dated back to November 2024 in Malaga, where he allegedly shoved a 60-year-old chaperone after Australia’s Davis Cup semifinal loss to Italy. Found guilty of “offensive conduct towards a doping control official,” Hewitt fired back, telling Fox Sports that “manipulated” video evidence was used against him.

While that case is still ongoing, the cases with match fixing violations have been plenty this this. From lifetime bans to multi-year suspensions, the list kept growing. Yet one case stood out more than the rest, that of David and Malek, who will now be sidelined from the sport for the next couple of years. Still, one story remains unfinished. Leonardo Aboian’s case continues to hang in the balance as he awaits his final verdict.

27-year-old ATP pro faces provisional suspension

Last month, on October 18, the Daily Express reported that the former world No. 229 had been hit with a provisional ban. According to the report, it came under a section of the program that says there’s reason to believe he committed a major offense and that tennis’s integrity could be compromised without an immediate suspension. In case you missed it, the 27-year-old has actually been provisionally suspended since September 19, 2025. Since he didn’t appeal to an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO), the suspension remains in place for now.

The section of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program makes its stance pretty clear: “There is a likelihood that the Covered Person has committed a Major Offense, and in the absence of a Provisional Suspension, the integrity of tennis would be undermined. The harm resulting from the absence of a Provisional Suspension outweighs the hardship of the Provisional Suspension on the Covered Person.” In simple terms, the ITIA isn’t taking any chances when it comes to protecting the sport’s credibility.

Interestingly, the ITIA also announced a brand new trial program to support individuals involved in Tennis Anti-Corruption and Tennis Anti-Doping Program investigations. Under this trial, anyone under investigation will now get access to financial help for product testing, confidential third-party counseling, and free legal support. It’s designed to ensure fairness and mental well-being during ongoing cases.

The program runs through the end of 2026 before being reviewed, which could be a game-changer for players like Leonardo Aboian if financial or legal barriers are what kept him from appealing so far.

Meanwhile, all eyes are now on David Marrero and Malek Jaziri, who’ve stayed quiet about the latest update. Will the ITIA’s tough stance and new support system be enough to finally clean up corruption in tennis once and for all? What’s your take?