Dubai, UAE - While the WTA so far appears to be clean in terms of possible match-fixing, Tour supremo Larry Scoot said on Saturday that the tennis body remains on guard for any signs of corruption. "We have not found any wrong-doing in any matches," said the head of the women's sanctioning body on a visit to the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships. "I don't think we have a betting problem."
But the American warned: "It's a threat. The gambling industry is growing, but we are not concerned it will be a problem in (women's) tennis."
Scott's optimism came a day after the ATP suspended and fined a fifth Italian player, Federico Luzzi, for making small online bets on matches.
Scott said that while he'd prefer not to see wagering involved in the game, a two-year investigation into the women's game has shown that side of the sport appears to be clean.
"There is nothing we can do to stop gambling, that's the reality. We'd prefer if people didn't bet on tennis but watched it for the sporting values.
"We don't like it that gambling on sport is becoming a financial market."
Scott, a former ATP player and executive in that organisation, added that the WTA "will make every effort to send a clear message: we don't think (gambling) helps the image of the sport.
"And we will take more steps to crack down."
The executive refused to be more specific, waiting a report from a special investigative team which will make recommendations on various security and player protection aspects of the Tour.
He praised officials at February's Antwerp event and in Dubai after several spectators were caught either on laptops in the stands or giving play-by-play information on mobile phones during matches.
Scott said that resistance from coaches and other members of players entourages to signing a release allowing the body to conduct criminal background checks was solved by a mass meeting last week at the WTA event in Doha, site of November's season-ending championships.
"There was a misunderstanding and everyone has signed. There was some push-back from coaches and others on the privacy aspects and the level of security (of the personal information).
"We are not interested in a shoplifting conviction or speeding ticket. Nothing will go anywhere if it doesn't affect player safety and security that we are after."
Scott said that only two legal staff members of the WTA would have access to the background check information, which is being conducted by an agency accredited in both Europe and the US.
"We are the major international sport for women and we have a lot of under-age players. We have a serious moral obligation.
"Two years ago we set up a player security task force, we want to be the leader in the field."
