site.btaTennis Integrity Agency Bans Bulgaria’s Simon Anthony Ivanov for Five Years, Bulgarian Federation Also Suspends Him

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed Thursday that Bulgarian tennis player Simon Anthony Ivanov has been banned for five years and fined USD 25,000 for breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program(me).

The 25-year-old Ivanov, who reached a career-high ATP ranking of No. 598 in 2023, refused to attend a hearing in his case and was found guilty of violating Section D.1.a, related to betting activity amounting to more than EUR 196,000 on matches between February and October 2022, as well as Section F.2.b, refusal to cooperate with the investigation.

His sanction was extended by an additional 12 months due to what was described as “intimidating” and “threatening” conduct during arbitration proceedings.

According to the ITIA statement, Ivanov was questioned four times between 2022 and 2024, with written requests also issued for forensic analysis of his mobile devices as part of the investigation into possible corrupt practices.

During the suspension period, which runs until August 14, 2030, Ivanov is prohibited from competing, coaching, or attending any tennis event authorized or sanctioned by ITIA members (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, the French Tennis Federation, Wimbledon, and the USTA), or by any national association.

The Bulgarian Tennis Federation (BTF) also issued a statement regarding Ivanov’s punishment. It stressed that the federation has always supported efforts to combat match-fixing and manipulation in the sport. As part of the sanction, the BTF confirmed that effective immediately (Thursday, August 28) Ivanov’s competitive rights are suspended, and he will be barred from participating in tournaments on the domestic and international calendars in any capacity – as a player, coach, or spectator, for the duration of the ban.