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  • US Open says it will crack down on tweeting

    8/31/09 10:49 AM | Johan Lindahl
    US Open says it will crack down on tweeting Tennis anti-corruption bosses have warned players that US Open tweets on Twitter could land them in trouble at the major which begins Monday.

    Advisories have been posted around the player lounge and other backstage areas of Flushing Meadows telling competitors to make sure they don't give away injury or other information which could be used by online bettors.

    The newest campaign has resorted to scare tactics, saying tweets violate anti-gambling policy. "Many of you will have Twitter accounts in order for your fans to follow you and to become more engaged in you and the sport-and this is great", read the notices.

    "However popular it is, it is important to warn you of some of the dangers posted by Twittering as it relates to the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program Rules".

    The programme has gone quiet since being rolled out with limited success amid gambling hysteria a few seasons ago. Now, it's stirring to life for a show of force at the last Grand Slam of the season.

    Players are not impressed: Andy Roddick called it "lame the US Open is trying to regulate our tweeting.. I understand the on-court issue but not sure they can tell us if we can’t do it on our own time... we’ll see".

    "You would seriously have to be a moron to send 'inside info' through a tweet".

    The Open says it will try to ban tweeting during matches, a scheme only tried a few times, mlost notably from retired Jim Courier this season during a senior event.

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