FELICIANO LOPEZ has strenuously denied any involvement in a Wimbledon match-fixing plot.

And the Spaniard hopes the allegations, which originated from police reports in his home country, will not overshadow Andy Murray’s long-awaited Queen’s return on Thursday.

Reports in Spain claim Lopez, 37, has been implicated in a wider probe over a doubles match at Wimbledon in 2017.

Ahead of his doubles clash alongside Murray on Thursday, the world No113 said: “I absolutely deny any link with events described in relation to the allegations of match-fixing.

“Unfortunately, all tennis players are public figures and exposed to having our good name used beyond our control.

“For that reason, I’ll do everything within my power to defend myself against any such false accusations.”

Police reports say the alleged fixing scandal was masterminded by ex-footballers Carlos Aranda and Raul Bravo, once of Real Madrid and Leeds.

The pair are currently on bail in Spain after 11 people were arrested last month.

It is claimed ex-Sevilla and Villarreal star Aranda, 38, encouraged a contact in a telephone chat to bet illegally on Lopez’s doubles match.

Lopez and partner Marc Lopez lost 3-6 7-6 6-2 6-4 to Australians John-Patrick Smith and Matt Reid in the first round two years ago.

The day before Lopez had retired from his singles match in the fourth set with a foot injury.

I’ve had to deal with a lot of tweets regarding the issue, but I was just trying to just focus on the match. It was difficult for me to play.

There is no suggestion Lopez any of the other players knew of any bets and are not accused of any wrongdoing.

When the news broke of the taped conversations on Tuesday, the ace says he and Marc “immediately contacted the Tennis Integrity Unit to fully cooperate and they confirmed there had been no investigation about that match”.

Lopez said: “I’ve always believed in the values of fair play. It has been the case during my long career and I stand for the integrity of the game, which is so important.”

Asked if he had ever met or been contacted by Bravo or Aranda, Lopez replied: “No.”

Lopez will partner Murray against Colombian top seeds Robert Farah and Juan Sebastian Cabal in the first match since the Brit underwent hip surgery in January.

He said: “It’s not easy, when you find yourself in an article saying you might be a match fixer. I didn’t do anything wrong.

“I’ve had to deal with a lot of tweets regarding the issue, but I was just trying to just focus on the match. It was difficult for me to play.

“Andy didn’t mention anything. He’s happy to play with me this week. I think we can play great, and he’s been training normal.

“I’m so excited about playing with Andy. Since we agreed to play, I told everybody that it’s a very exciting moment for me.

“Andy is one of the best players in the history of tennis, and I’m very lucky to be playing this week with him, even more at this special tournament.”

Lopez beat Hungarian Marton Fucsovics 6-7 6-3 6-4 and will now face Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in the second round of the singles competition.

Source: Read Full Article