ITIA Examines DraftKings Party Featuring Sabalenka, Gauff and Other Tennis Stars

^{Aryna Sabalenka with her fiancé, Georgios Frangulis / David Grutman and Coco Gauff}

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) is reviewing the circumstances surrounding a party hosted by betting company DraftKings ahead of the US Open. Aryna Sabalenka, Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva, Taylor Fritz and other tennis players attended the event, journalist Ben Rothenberg reported for Bounces.

The DraftKings Welcome Players Party was held in New York on August 27 and was organized by DraftKings and American restaurateur David Grutman.

Several players, including Sabalenka, Gauff and Andreeva, were photographed in front of a backdrop featuring DraftKings logos. The event drew the ITIA’s attention after the photos circulated publicly.

David Grutman and Mirra Andreeva

Grigor Dimitrov, David Grutman and Serena Williams

ITIA anti-corruption rules prohibit players from directly or indirectly promoting betting on tennis, including taking part in promotional activities for betting brands that offer wagers on the sport. DraftKings offers betting markets on tennis, including the US Open.

According to Rothenberg, the players were not paid to attend the party. Anna Kalinskaya told him she was unaware that DraftKings was sponsoring the event and had attended simply to spend time with friends.

The ITIA has not announced any charges or sanctions and has said only that it is reviewing the circumstances and details of the event. Rothenberg noted that cases of this kind can result in players receiving a private warning.