LONDON -- Miami Open tournament director and former top 10 player James Blake has been fined $56,250 for violating tennis' rules regarding betting sponsorship, as announced by the International Tennis Integrity Agency on Wednesday.
The London-based ITIA clarified that the violation was unintentional and that Blake fully cooperated with the investigation, not contesting the charge. As a result, he has been placed on an 18-month probationary period starting from February 9. If Blake were to breach the rules again during this period, he would face an 18-month suspension and an additional fine of $131,250.
Tennis regulations prohibit individuals from having commercial ties with gambling companies. In a similar incident in 2022, U.S. Davis Cup team coaches Mardy Fish and Bob Bryan were each fined $10,000 for promoting a gambling operator on social media.
ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse emphasized that this case is more about perception than corruption. The rules apply to players, coaches, officials, and accredited tournament staff, all of whom have the potential to influence outcomes or access inside information.
James Blake has served as the tournament director of the Miami Open since 2018, with the upcoming event scheduled for next month. Following his retirement as a player in 2013, during which he achieved 10 singles titles, reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 in the ATP rankings, and made it to the quarterfinals of three Grand Slam tournaments, Blake has been actively involved in the sport.
Before turning professional in 1999, Blake attended Harvard University. Notably, he played a pivotal role in helping the United States secure victory over Russia in the 2007 Davis Cup final, marking the country's most recent triumph in that team competition.
