World tennis is rocked by allegations that the game’s authorities have failed to deal with widespread match-fixing, just as the Australian Open, the first grand slam tournament of the year, kicks off in Melbourne.

“All involved in the administration of the Australian Open will not tolerate any deviations from our values and rules at any level,” Tiley said.

Kermode added he was disappointed the story had taken attention away from the tournament.

“We are confident that the Tennis Integrity Unit is doing what it can and tackles this issue very, very seriously,” Kermode said.

TIU investigations had resulted in sanctions against 18 players, with six issued life bans, he added.

Kermode also rejected suggestions the TIU was under-resourced and did not have necessary enforcement powers.

Tennis authorities have pumped about $14 million into anti-corruption programmes, Kermode added.

TIU’s Willerton said they could ask for players’ electronic communication devices, though those requests could be refused.

“If they don’t then consent … that’s called non-cooperation, and they can be reported and sanctioned for non-cooperation,” Willerton said.

Independent Australian Senator Nick Xenophon said sports regulators were not rigorous enough and that the very nature of tennis made it possible to engage in spot fixing, where single events are manipulated to affect live betting odds.