The International Tennis Integrity Association has imposed suspensions on former doubles world No. 5 David Marrero and Tunisia’s Davis Cup captain Malek Jaziri after both accepted sanctions for breaching wild-card rules under the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program.

Marrero admitted four separate instances, occurring between 2022 and 2023, in which he paid for or offered to pay for wild cards for himself and/or a doubles partner. Jaziri acknowledged conspiring with Marrero in one of those offences.

As outlined by ITIA, both are “prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorized or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association” during their periods of ineligibility.

Marrero, the 2013 Nitto ATP Finals doubles champion alongside Fernando Verdasco, has begun a 31-month suspension that started on October 21 and runs through May 20, 2028. The 45-year-old was fined $15,000, with $10,000 of that amount suspended.

The ITIA action removes both men from participation in events covered by its member bodies for the duration of their bans. The sanctions follow the organisations procedures for handling breaches of the wild-card provisions in the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program.

The case underscores the governing body’s enforcement of integrity rules related to tournament entry and wild-card allocation. Marrero’s admissions covered multiple incidents over a two-year period, and Jaziri’s admission related to a single instance tied to Marrero. Both accepted the imposed sanctions and the terms of their ineligibility as set out by the ITIA.

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios are scheduled to face each other in a “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition set for Dec. 28 in Dubai. The match will be played indoors at the 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena, and both players posted logistical details on their social media channels after Sabalenka confirmed during the U.S. Open that discussions for the match were underway.

Before their head-to-head meeting in Dubai, both players will take part in an exhibition in New York on Dec. 8, though they will not play one another there. Sabalenka will face Naomi Osaka and Kyrgios will play Tommy Paul in that event.

Kyrgios has outlined specific conditions for the Dubai match, saying he would get only one serve and would be hitting toward a smaller side of the court. The Australian, who has barely played in recent years because of injuries, has predicted he will win easily.

“I cannot wait to get back out on court,” Kyrgios said in an Instagram story. “Honestly I’m feeling amazing. I never thought I would be back into this position, being able to travel the world, see my fans and play some amazing tennis.”

The exhibition borrows its name from the famous 1973 meeting between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, a match King won in straight sets in the Houston Astrodome. Sabalenka enters the off-season as a four-time Grand Slam champion and one of the top attractions on the women’s tour, while Kyrgios returns to a spotlighted appearance after a period of limited competitive play.

Alizé Cornet has been appointed captain of France’s Billie Jean King Cup team a few months after retiring from tennis a second time earlier this year. The French tennis federation announced the nomination on Sunday, saying Cornet stood out from other candidates because of her “investment in French tennis, her profile, her motivation and her availability.”

The 35-year-old replaces Julien Benneteau, who held the role since 2019. Cornet’s remit will extend beyond the Billie Jean King Cup squad and includes preparing the French Olympic team leading up to the Los Angeles Games in 2028, monitoring national team players during competitions and overseeing youth teams.

“I appreciate the trust the federation has placed in me, and I am determined to do everything I can to help our players reach their full potential,” Cornet said in a statement. “My goal is to build a strong team spirit, based on high standards, solidarity, and a passion for the French jersey.”

Cornet brings the experience of a 20-year professional career to the role. Touted as a young prodigy, she achieved a career-high ranking of No. 11 in 2009 and won six singles titles. Known as a solid baseline player with a strong backhand, she also held the women’s record for most consecutive Grand Slam tournaments played at 69, a streak that ran from the 2007 Australian Open to last year’s French Open.

The federation emphasized Cornet’s availability and motivation when confirming the appointment. Her new duties place her at the centre of France’s national-team planning as preparations begin toward future international events and the 2028 Olympic cycle.