Stefan Milicevic Banned for 24 Years Following Match-Fixing Scandal

Stefan Milicevic, a Serbian tennis player, has been banned for 24 years and fined £52,808 ($70,000) by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). He was found guilty of fixing six matches and recruiting other players into a corrupt network.

The investigation revealed that between 2022 and 2024, Milicevic attempted to fix an additional six matches. His efforts to involve others led to several players engaging in match-fixing. Milicevic, who reached his highest singles ranking of 1338 in August 2014 as a teenager, is barred from playing, coaching, or attending any events organized or sanctioned by World Tennis, WTA, ATP, Grand Slams, or any national tennis association until October 8, 2050.

Lack of Cooperation Did Not Affect Punishment

The 29-year-old did not cooperate with the ITIA investigation despite multiple attempts by the agency to contact him, including a notice of major offense issued on September 24 which went unanswered. An ITIA spokesperson clarified that Milicevic’s ban length was based solely on the seriousness of his offenses, especially his role in recruiting others, which carries heavy penalties under ITIA guidelines.

Related Investigation Into Playing Partner

Marino Jakic, Milicevic’s partner at an ITF World Tennis Tour event in Osijek, Croatia, in August 2023, has been provisionally suspended since June 24 pending a full anti-corruption probe. Jakic appealed the suspension but the decision was upheld in August by independent hearing officer Amani Khalifa due to substantial evidence.

Career and Background

Milicevic earned less than £4,000 in career prize money. His failure to respond to charges resulted in his case not proceeding before a hearing officer, leading to a "deemed sanction" instead. Records show he played 11 professional matches between 2022 and 2024 on the ITF Tour. Milicevic also played collegiate tennis at the University of Minnesota and served as a coach at DePaul University in Chicago.

Comparison With Other Cases

This 24-year ban exceeds that of Quentin Folliot, who received a 20-year suspension last December. Folliot was described by the ITIA as a central figure in a match-fixing syndicate, having breached anti-corruption rules 27 times between 2022 and 2024. The hearing officer called Folliot "a vector for a wider criminal syndicate," actively recruiting players and deepening corruption in professional tennis.

• Milicevic’s career-high ranking: 1338 (August 2014)
• Ban duration: 24 years (until October 2050)
• Fine imposed: £52,808 ($70,000)
• Matches fixed: 6 confirmed, 6 more attempted
• Professional matches played (2022–2024): 11
• Prize money earned: Less than £4,000