When asked about it, Karatzev said, “I haven’t heard anything about it. I don’t know what you are talking about.”
While Karatzev did not have much to say, Basilashvili had a lot. He said, “Last weekend, it came to my attention that media publications in Germany have made mention of my name in connection with allegations of so-called ‘Match Fixing’. These allegations have no basis at all and I reject them in the strongest possible terms.”
“I will not accept seeing my name and reputation being severely violated through baseless and absurd accusations. I, therefore, demand that such allegations and lies stop immediately and the public, through the media, must be informed that I totally and utterly deny all of these absurd accusations.”
“I have empowered a German law firm to protect my interests and to act in every possible way to fight this extremely damaging misinformation.”
Both players were in Bastad this week, playing on clay courts. Karatzev had made the quarterfinals where he eventually lost to Francisco Cerundolo. Basilashvili, on the other hand, lost to Hugo Gaston in the first round.