Record tennis ban: Former European champion suspended for 25 years
Stefan Milićević (photo: gophersports.com)
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has issued one of the severest rulings in its history. Serbian tennis player Stefan Milićević, 29, has been banned from all tennis-related activities for 24 years and has been hit with a hefty fine, according to the organization's official website.
Why the Serbian player was punished
According to the ITIA, the lengthy ban followed an investigation into corruption in tennis. The anti-corruption agency found Milićević guilty of manipulating the outcomes of six matches, five of which he played in himself, as well as attempting to influence the results of six more matches between 2022 and 2024.
Investigators also found that the Serbian player actively recruited and attempted to involve other professional players in a corruption network, leading to match-fixing involving other competitors. His own conduct further aggravated the case: Milićević completely ignored seven attempts by the organization to contact him and refused to provide evidence.
As a result, the ITIA imposed a 24-year ban and a $70,000 fine. Under the sanctions, the Serbian player is prohibited from playing, coaching, or even attending any official events under the ATP, WTA, and ITF until October 2050.
Who is Stefan Milicevic?
As a junior, Milićević was considered a promising player. He won six European junior championship titles and one ITF title.
However, his professional career as an adult was less successful:
-
His highest ATP singles ranking was No. 1,338, which he reached in August 2014.
-
He earned just $4,858 in prize money at ATP tournaments throughout his career.
-
His last official match took place in June 2024.
Such severe penalties are becoming increasingly common in the fight against corruption in tennis. For example, in December 2025, the ITIA banned French player Quentin Folliot for 20 years after establishing his involvement in 27 violations of anti-corruption rules.
