Argentina’s Hernán Casanova, a 32‑year‑classic who sits at No. 397 in the ATP rankings, has been handed a two‑month ban for breaching the Tennis Anti‑Corruption Programme (TACP). The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed the sanction, which runs from 4 February 2026 through 3 April 2026, and includes a $500 fine after a larger amount was partially suspended.
The ITIA found that Casanova placed bets on a series of tennis matches in which he had no playing or influencing role between 2023 and 2025, “apparently during qualifying rounds of the Australian Open,” according to the agency’s statement. In a separate breach from 2024, he failed to report a corrupt approach – an omission also covered by the TACP.
Sanction details
During the period of ineligibility, Casanova is barred from competing, coaching or even attending any event authorised or sanctioned by members of the ITIA, which include the ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, the Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon, the USTA and any national federation. The fine of $500 is a reduction from the $2,000 originally stipulated, with $1,500 of that amount suspended pending compliance.
Player’s own words
In a post on his social‑media account, the Lomas de Zamora native wrote: “Escribo esto para que lo sepan por mí. El 3 de febrero fui notificado por la ITIA que estaré suspendido por dos meses y deberé pagar una multa de 500 dólares.” He added that the penalty stemmed from “dos errores” – betting for fun on tennis matches and not reporting a suspected match‑fixing approach – and urged younger professionals to study the anti‑corruption programme carefully.
Career snapshot
Nicknamed “Araña” for his physical tenacity, Casanova has collected 25 professional titles, the most recent being an M15 event in Santiago, Chile, in 2025. He broke into the ATP top‑250 in October 2022, reaching a career‑high ranking of No. 221. That season also saw him play his sole ATP‑tour main‑draw match at Kitzbühel, Austria.
His last appearance before the ban was at the Challenger 125 in Rosario, where he qualified for the main draw but retired trailing 1‑6, 0‑2 against Taiwan’s Chun‑Hsin Tseng.
Why the ban matters
The TACP is designed to protect the integrity of professional tennis by prohibiting players, officials and related personnel from betting on matches, from influencing outcomes, and from failing to report corrupt approaches. The ITIA, an independent body funded by the sport’s governing organisations, enforces these rules across all sanctioned events. A breach, even when the betting activity is “recreational,” is treated as a serious violation given that it threatens public confidence in the sport’s fairness.
By suspending Casanova, the ITIA sends a clear message to lower‑ranked players who compete primarily on the Challenger and ITF circuits that the anti‑corruption programme applies at every level.
Timeline of the sanction
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| ITIA notification to player | 3 February 2026 |
| Suspension period begins | 4 February 2026 |
| Suspension period ends | 3 April 2026 |
What comes next
The ban will lift on 3 April 2026, at which point Casanova may re‑enter ITIA‑sanctioned tournaments provided he complies with any remaining conditions, such as the suspended portion of his fine. The ITIA will publish any further updates on its website here.
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