ATP 250 semifinalist Marco Trungelliti reveals if he regrets exposing “match-fixing dark-side” of tennis, recalls death threats saying “I was offered $50K”

Marco Trungelliti, one of tennis’ rare whistleblowers, has once again spoken about the hidden problems in the sport. The Argentine player, who mostly competes on the Challenger circuit, revealed how players are often pushed toward match-fixing due to financial struggles.

His comments come at a time when he is enjoying a strong run at the ATP 250 event in Marrakech, which will help him break into the Top 100 rankings for the first time in his career.Trungelliti’s journey is not just about results on the court but about courage off it. Back in 2015, he reported match-fixing scandals to authorities. It helped to uncover a larger network. However, instead of support, he faced isolation, death threats, and financial hardship.

Marco Trungelliti reveals how financial struggles push players towards match-fixing

Marco Trungelliti discussed why match-fixing continues to exist in tennis, especially at the lower levels. Speaking to L'Équipe, he explained that players who earn very little prize money often face tough choices. When someone earns just a few hundred euros for losing early in tournaments, even a small illegal offer can seem life-changing. He admitted that players may initially reject such offers, but repeated financial pressure can weaken their resistance over time.

He shared that he himself was once offered $50,000 to fix a match. He described it as a huge amount for a short period of work. According to him, once a player even starts thinking about such an offer, it becomes very difficult to stay away from it. He added that many players see others doing it. He noted some keep getting away with it, which makes the temptation even stronger.Trungelliti also spoke about how constant losses and the grind of the sport can take away the joy of playing.

Over time, frustration builds up. Players begin to feel that the system is not supporting them. In such situations, he believes, some players make decisions they would never have considered earlier.Despite everything he went through, Trungelliti said he does not regret speaking out. He explained that he always knew what the right thing to do was. However, he also mentioned that he does not feel proud yet, as he believes tennis authorities like the ATP and ITF still need to do much more to fight corruption in the sport.On the court, Trungelliti continues to shine. He registered wins in Marrakech over seeded players. His victories have shown his determination.