Nicolas Kicker opted to withdraw from his quarter-final match against Gustavo Heide in a recent ATP Challenger Tour event held in Florianopolis, Brazil. Kicker, who had lost the first set 6-2 and was trailing 5-1 in the second set, decided to end the match while facing match point.
The 33-year-old player, formerly ranked No.78 in the world, holds the unfortunate distinction of being the highest-ranked tennis professional ever convicted of match-fixing. In 2018, he received a six-year suspension from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for his involvement in manipulating the outcomes of two separate Challenger tournament matches in 2015.
Following an appeal, Kicker’s suspension was reduced by four months after he cooperated with the ITIA’s educational initiatives. He even contributed to the creation of an instructional video for the ITIA, discussing his past actions and cautioning other players about the consequences of corruption in tennis.
Reflecting on his past, Kicker expressed regret over his involvement in match-fixing, which he believes cost him a promising career trajectory. He acknowledged the mistake he made in 2015 and the heavy price he paid for it, admitting that his reputation in the tennis community remains tarnished.
Kicker also shared his experience of being approached by individuals who initially offered financial support but later revealed themselves as a group of bettors seeking to manipulate his matches. He described the pressure of intentionally losing a match as “horrible” and acknowledged the lasting impact it has had on his standing in the sport.