The report claimed the Tennis Integrity Unit – the Association of Tennis Professionals’ (ATP) corruption body – was repeatedly warned about 16 players in the world’s top 50 ranking associated with match-fixing, with eight of those players alleged to be in the Australian Open line-up.

ATP’s president Chris Kermode fervently denied match-fixing had gone unchecked, while tennis ace Roger Federer called on names to be released.

“It’s super serious and it’s super important to maintain the integrity of our sport,” Mr Federer said. 

There are various ways to fix a match, from “tanking” – whereby a player deliberately loses a match – through to “fixing the score” – whereby betting is made on predicting a score which is pre-arranged.

In a sport in need of more sportsmanship than money, match-fixing is obviously just about money.

The NSW Police Integrity Commission hearing in 2013 revealed a Sydney punter who claimed a $2.5million win after using information provided by a professional player in a fixed match.

So it’s easy to understand the motivation of punters. But what about players?

What kind of person – possessing even the tiniest grain of self respect – could walk on to the world stage and deliberately mis-hit, double-fault or feign injury to serve a gambling ring?

Manager of Sapphire Coast Tennis James Poso said crime rings are linked to most match-fixing, and it’s all about vulnerability.

“The players that would match-fix are low-ranked, and probably desperate for money,” Mr Poso said. 

“Unknowns, from poor countries, have lots of incentive to earn a few grand to drop a match.”

Mr Poso said he would be “shocked” if household names were involved, and he, for one, could never walk on a court and fudge it.

“But it’s very easy to look like I’m playing my best when I’m not,” Mr Poso conceded.

So next time you’ve had a shock victory over your hottest rival, check the sidelines for men in dark glasses.

And stare at your contestant’s face: the look of shame should be easy to spot.