David Savic (ranked 658th) has compiled a statement regarding his recent lifetime ban from tennis and the circumstances surrounding it.

The Serbian player was shocked with the decision and suspects foul play. You can read his full statement below.

"Given that the decision of an arbitration judge in the case against me started by the so-called PTIO (Professional Tennis Integrity Officers) by which I was punished with a lifetime ban on practicing tennis and fined with $100,000 caused exceptional media attention both here and abroad, I am submitting this statement to inform the public about the facts that are relevant to these proceedings as well as myself, and also because of the misinterpretations that have arisen in the media.

First of all, I would like to state that my whole family is from the sports world, my father is a former Davis Cup team member and former Yugoslav Atp player, brother chosen as the best junior coach at SD''Red Star''. None of us ever had a stain in the profession.

In short, for reasons and motives unbeknown to me, a player who is currently the world's top, with whom I was a very good friend in my junior tennis days but had no contact with for almost 11 years, reported me to the TIU (Tennis Integrity Unit) stating that I contacted him and offered him money to fix a match with another player which is absolute falsehood.

Based on this report TIU has launched an investigation under which I was interrogated in January this year when I first learned that there is a charge against me. This hearing was also the first time I heard the name of the player who reported me. I asked the TIU representatives immediately to invite the player at hand and, in his presence, clear things up but I was denied. Furthermore, during the hearing I was repeatedly offered by the TIU to admit what I did not commit which I refused because I believed in truth and justice . I asked for my right to defend myself from all the "evidence" they had against me.

The hearing was held on the 12th of September in London. However as we were, by the Order of the Arbitration judges, bound to keep all information related to the arbitration proceedings confidential, I can only declare that my lawyer Dragan Grebo and I debunked every bit of "proof" presented by the opposing party during the procedure because there was no evidence, that I ever contacted the player at hand, let alone spoke to him [on the matter I am accused of]. I was convinced that we had fully proved my innocence, and we expected the arbitration judge to come to the same conclusion, who was supposed to be independant and objective in giving a releasing verdict. Unfortunately, it did not happen.

I did not want to admit something I did not commit, I wanted to prove my innocence in the arbitration. Since obviously I did not succeed, I will pursue this until the end and within 20 days, as soon as my attorney receives this incredible decision, I will file a complaint to the Court of Arbitration for Sport issues ( CAS) in Lausanne confident that I will finally prove my innocence and remove the stain from my name.

Please note that I wanted to call a press conference and inform you about everything but I was hindered by the appeal process regulations and limits, therefore I was forced to address you via this statement. A press conference will be held after the appeal process ends.

On this occasion I would like to thank my family, friends, girls, tennis players from Serbia and around the world and TK "Red Star" for the overwhelming support they have shown.

In the end I can't help but think that I was simply chosen as a "sacrificial lamb" that without any direct evidence should be convicted as such a drastic example for other tennis players. I believe that this decision was made even before the trial in London."

TA Team

READ MORE ON TENNIS ALTERNATIVE

David Savic talks about his lifetime ban

Stalk your favourite tennis players on Twitter via TA!

Like us on Facebook!

CLICK HERE FOR LIVESCORES