TENNIS:Australian Open organisers have introduced anti-corruption measures including fines, bans and jail terms for any players found to be involved in match fixing at next year's opening grand slam.

While there has been no proof of any wrongdoing, the sport has been rife with rumours of match-fixing this year, several players saying they had been approached to throw matches.

The Russian Nikolay Davydenko is facing an investigation over irregular betting patterns on one of his matches in August.

"We don't believe our sport has a corruption problem but we do recognise that a threat to the integrity of tennis exists," Tennis Australia (TA) chief executive Steve Wood told reporters yesterday.

"Betting is a reality in all sports. But we want to have some vigilance over illegal gambling."

Wood said TA would establish an anti-corruption unit, which will be headed by former police officers, introduce a match-fixing hotline, ban the use of laptop computers courtside and increase security measures restricting access to players.

Wood said strict sanctions would apply for players and their support staff for breaches of the policy, ranging from fines to life bans, while those involved in match fixing could also face terms in prison.

Wood said the measures were just for the Australian Open but he expected the sport to produce a co-ordinated policy towards match-fixing next year.

"This is an interim protection measure for the Australian Open while globally our sport completes a comprehensive and independent analysis of the overall threat to the integrity of tennis," he added.

"I fully expect that analysis will lead to the formation of a global integrity unit for tennis next year.

"In the meantime I am very comfortable with what we have put in place."

The Australian Open runs from January 14th to 27th.

Meanwhile, Mark Philippoussis has conceded that his latest knee injury could bring an end to his career.

The former world number eight was forced to withdraw earlier this week from the wildcard qualifying tournament for next month's Australian Open.

Philippoussis requires surgery on his troublesome right knee and at the age of 31 he says he does not know if he will play again.

"I'm not thinking about a comeback at the moment," the Australian said.

"I'm just going to be thinking about spending time with my family, spending time at home and then assessing things - you know, where life will lead me and what direction I want to take in life and whether I'll be going again."

The former US Open and Wimbledon finalist added that he might not attempt a comeback even if the latest surgery proved successful.

"I'll be honest, you've got to understand it's more a mental battle getting back from injury after injury.

"I don't want to be getting up sore and going to the gym and battling day after day."