There is no place for corruption in sports. Major governing bodies strive to curb suspicious activities while implementing a strict approach. The situation is no different in tennis, where the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) makes sure to spot corrupt practices. In its latest initiative of keeping the racket sport clean, the agency has handed a six-week suspension to a French player. Not to mention, he is now also liable to pay a hefty fine of $10,000.

On Wednesday, the ITIA issued a statement, highlighting that French ATP pro Lucas Bouquet has received a ban. Reports came in that he breached the anti-corruption rules four times between 2023 and 2024. The official statement from ITIA, dated October 1, mentions that Bouquet admitted to “failing to report knowledge or suspicion of active corruption, providing inside information, and failing to report a corrupt approach, in breach of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).”

Bouquet, 28, reached a career-high ranking of 478 earlier this season in February. After he requested that the matter be referred to an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO), Amani Khalifa, the latter issued a two-month sanction. It involves “a 20% reduction for early admission and a $10,000 fine, of which $5,000 is suspended.”

The ban is effective from September 19, 2025 (the date of the written decision) to October 30. As is the case in suspensions, Bouquet will remain prohibited from “playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association.”

Meanwhile, the Frenchman isn’t the only tennis player to receive a strict punishment this season. A few weeks ago, even a former two-time slam champion wasn’t spared for his controversial actions.

Tennis icon Lleyton Hewitt banned after shocking Davis Cup behavior

Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt, who won Wimbledon and the US Open during his career, turned into a controversial figure last month. The now-retired 44-year-0ld pro was leading his nation at the Davis Cup qualifiers. However, the campaign became a nightmare for the former ATP icon. Hewitt received a two-week ban and a $30,000 fine for allegedly pushing a volunteer at the Davis Cup. However, the Aussie Captain claimed that the video evidence showing him shoving an official was allegedly ‘manipulated’.

In an official statement, ITIA’s CEO Karen Moorhouse said, “Anti-doping personnel play a fundamental role behind the scenes in upholding the integrity of tennis, and they should be able to go about their roles without fear of physical contact. In this case, that line was clearly crossed, and we had no other option but to take action.”

Owing to the suspension during the event, Hewitt wasn’t allowed to be “in all tennis-related activities, including coaching, mentoring, playing, captaincy, and other associated roles.” Although Captain Hewitt was upset, he was satisfied with the team’s overall performance. While the result “didn’t go our way,” he thinks the players “sure held their heads high and had a real crack today and we were nearly able to pull it off. I’m just really proud of the guys and the effort they put in.” 

The ban on Hewitt is still effective until October 7; it started on September 24. To add to his woes, Australia failed to qualify for this year’s Davis Cup main draw. Belgium stunned them to book a spot in the tournament’s final eight lineup, which will take place in Bologna from November 18 to 23.