Tennis Star Receives 12-Year Ban for 22 Match-Fixing Offenses
Chinese tennis player Pang Renlong has received a significant penalty, facing a 12-year ban due to match-fixing activities. This decision comes from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) following an investigation into his involvement in organized corruption.
Pang Renlong’s Match-Fixing Violations
The 25-year-old athlete admitted to fixing five of his own matches and attempting to fix 17 others within a five-month period, from May to September 2024. Of these attempts, six were successful. In addition to the lengthy ban, Pang has been fined $110,000, with $70,000 of this amount suspended.
Match Statistics and Career Background
During the time frame when these offenses occurred, Pang participated in 26 matches on the World Tennis Tour and one at the ATP Challenger level, achieving 13 wins and 14 losses. His highest career ranking was No. 1,316, reached in November 2024.
Connection to Other Players
- Pang’s case has ties to two other players, Li Wenfu and Zhang Jin, who were also implicated in match-fixing activities.
- Li received a ban of two years and three months, while Zhang was suspended for two years.
- Both suspensions were announced in November 2025.
In November 2025, Pang’s provisional suspension became public alongside the announcements of two other players: Jaimée Floyd-Angéle from France and Anapat Timangkul from Thailand, who were also under investigation for corruption.
Notable Incidents in the Tennis Community
Floyd-Angéle, aged 25, was scrutinized during the investigation into Quentin Folliot, another French player recently suspended for 20 years due to 27 anti-corruption offenses. The investigation found Folliot at the center of a match-fixing network.
Folliot faced charges for soliciting fellow players to manipulate match results, supported by documented payment transactions tied to fixing activities. Ultimately, Floyd-Angéle was banned for five years and three months due to her involvement.
Conclusion
The ongoing issues of match-fixing in tennis highlight a serious integrity crisis within the sport. Strict penalties will aim to deter future violations and maintain the sport’s credibility.
