Novak Djokovic’s Wait for 100th Title Continues After Shocking Defeat
In a surprising turn of events, Novak Djokovic finds himself still chasing his 100th title after being defeated by a teenager in a match where unexpected circumstances played a crucial role. The young player, who only got the opportunity to compete because the referee was momentarily absent for lunch, took advantage of the situation to secure a memorable victory.
In related news, a tennis player has received a three-month ban for participating in a training session with a coach who is embroiled in a match-fixing scandal. This decision was made by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and means that Mina Hodzic, a 22-year-old from Germany, is prohibited from competing or coaching in any form of tennis until June 6.
The penalty comes after Hodzic trained with Jordi Marse-Vidri, a Spanish coach currently serving a 15-year ban due to his involvement in a notorious match-fixing operation. The ITIA had previously warned Hodzic that engaging in training sessions with Marse-Vidri would result in severe consequences, yet she chose to proceed with the session in October 2024.
As a result of her actions, Hodzic has been banned from March 6 to June 6 and has also incurred a fine of £775 ($1000). This sanction prevents her from participating in any tennis events that are sanctioned by ITIA members, which include major organizations like the ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, the French Tennis Federation, Wimbledon, and the USTA, along with various national associations.
- Jordi Marse-Vidri is one of six tennis players who received bans in 2022 due to criminal convictions related to match-fixing in Spain.
- His 15-year suspension will last until 2035, and he was fined £12,000 ($15,000), of which £3,900 ($5,000) was suspended.
- Alongside Marse-Vidri, other players like Marc Fornell Mestres, Carlos Ortega, Jaime Ortega, Marcos Tarralbo, and Pedro Bernabe Franco received bans ranging from seven to 22 years.
All six players admitted to corruption charges in Spain, resulting in criminal convictions, and they were handed two-year suspended prison sentences along with substantial fines. Following the completion of the criminal proceedings, the ITIA imposed additional sanctions on these players.
In a separate but equally exciting development, a 22-year-old tennis star recently made headlines by winning a match with an underarm serve ace during the Miami Open, showcasing the evolving nature of the sport.
