A Crime In Sport

A Crime in Sport

As the 2016 Australian Open began, the BBC and BuzzFeed reported that sixteen of the top fifty tennis players in the world had been approached about throwing their matches in the previous ten years. Ironically, one of the major sponsors of the Australian Open is an online gambling company.

Novak Djokovic, the number-one-ranked player in the world, when asked about the scandal, said that in years past his people had been approached about throwing a match, reportedly offering Djokovic up to $200,000. Djokovic said, “Somebody may call it an opportunity. For me, that’s an act of unsportsmanship, a crime in sport, honestly. I don’t support it. I think there is no room for it in any sport, especially in tennis.”^a

When you are willing to bend the rules, there is a high probability that you are willing to break the rules also. But when you leave room in your life to play outside the rules, you are sure to be found out. Numbers 32:23 says, “If you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the LORD, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.”

If a report were leaked about playing outside the lines at your job, or with women, might your name appear on it? Remember, there is great comfort in integrity. “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9, ESV).

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

Proverbs 10:9, ESV