(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-01-02 09:21

HONG KONG -Tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic insisted yesterday the women's game is clean as the world's elite players gear up for the first Grand Slam of the year in Australia.

Tennis players Maria Sharapova of Russia, center, Elena Dementieva of Russia, left, and Ana Ivanovic of Serbia pose together after a press conference a day before the JB Group Classic 2008 tennis event in Hong Kong Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008. The JB Group Classic will be held from Jan. 2-5 at Hong Kong Victoria Park. [Agencies]

Rumors of match-fixing and concerns over unusual betting patterns and betting by players have dogged the sport for some time.

On Monday, tennis legend Martina Navratilova backed efforts to rid tennis of corruption but conceded that match-fixing was hard to prove.

Her comments followed moves by Australian Open officials aimed at preventing any illegal gambling or match-fixing, including possibly pursuing criminal charges against players.

But world No 4 Ivanovic and fifth-ranked Sharapova, in Hong Kong for the star-studded JB Group Classic starting tomorrow, said the women's tour was clean.

Twenty-year-old Ivanovic, a French Open finalist last year, said she had not heard of any foul play in women's tennis.

"I think it's important to ... keep it clean and keep it pure and it's all about competition and the challenge and I think that's the way it should be and it should stay that way."

Sharapova, who lost to American Serena Williams in the final of last year's Australian Open, also said the WTA tour was in good shape.

"I think it's in the best interests of players and the tour to keep the sport as clean as possible," the Russian added.

"It's unfortunate that you do hear those things. Whether they're true you're not sure because sometimes it's just a bunch of rumors so unless you get a factsheet or facts they will remain rumors."