Nicolas Kicker opted to retire from his match against Gustavo Heide in Florianopolis, Brazil, during the quarter-finals of an ATP Challenger Tour event. Kicker was trailing 6-2 in the first set and 5-1 in the second set when he decided to end the match.
During the seventh game, with the score tied at deuce, Heide gained the advantage, prompting Kicker to concede the match without contesting the match point, shaking hands with the umpire and Heide.
Having been ranked No.78 in the world, Kicker holds the unfortunate distinction of being the highest-ranked tennis player ever found guilty of match-fixing, resulting in a six-year suspension in 2018. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) reduced the suspension by three years, contingent on no further infractions, after Kicker was implicated in manipulating two Challenger tournament matches in 2015.
Following an appeal and his contribution to an educational initiative by the ITIA, Kicker’s suspension was shortened by four months. He collaborated on an educational video warning players about the consequences of corruption.
Reflecting on his past, Kicker expressed regret over his actions in 2015, acknowledging that his mistake led to severe repercussions, ultimately derailing his promising career. He admitted to depending on his parents for financial support during his tennis pursuits.
Kicker recounted an incident where he was approached via Facebook by an individual offering financial backing and perks in Buenos Aires, only to later reveal themselves as part of a betting syndicate seeking to manipulate match outcomes.
Despite his remorse, Kicker acknowledges the lasting damage to his reputation within the tennis community due to his involvement in match-fixing.
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