The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Friday that Serbian tennis player Stefan Milićević has received a staggering 24-year ban and a $70,000 fine due to multiple breaches of the sport's anti-corruption regulations.
At 29 years old, Milićević's career-best ATP singles ranking was 1,338, achieved in August 2014. The ITIA found him guilty of fixing six matches between 2022 and 2024, five of which he personally participated in. The agency also uncovered that he attempted to fix an additional six matches during that timeframe.
Milićević was further accused of recruiting or attempting to recruit other professional players into a corrupt network involved in match-fixing, affecting several individuals. After a thorough investigation that lasted throughout 2026, the ITIA made seven attempts at reaching Milićević through various means, but he did not respond or cooperate.
The inquiry concluded with a Notice of Major Offence issued on 24 September 2026, which Milićević again ignored. As a result, the ITIA enacted its deemed-sanction procedure, leading to the hefty 24-year ban and monetary penalty.
This ban, which will take effect from 9 October 2026, is set to last until 8 October 2050, meaning Milićević will be 53 at its conclusion. During this period, he is barred from playing, coaching, or attending any tennis events organized or sanctioned by bodies such as the International Tennis Federation (ITF), Women's Tennis Association (WTA), Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the four Grand Slam tournaments, or any national tennis associations.
The ITIA continues its stringent efforts to combat match-fixing within the sport. Just last year, the agency issued five bans in connection with a Belgian corruption case. Among those penalized was Yannick Thivant, who received a lifetime ban along with a $75,000 fine, alongside Thomas Brechemier, Gabriel Petit, Thomas Setodji, and Hugo Daubias, who faced various suspensions or bans.
