Nicolas Kicker is taking a practical approach to his comeback after serving a two year eight month ban for match fixing.

"I f--ked up, I wasn't a saint, but that's it, you have to look forward," Kicker told Pablo Amalfitano in a wide-ranging interview with Argentina's Pagina 12.

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The former world No. 78 was found guilty of fixing the outcome of matches at two different ATP Challenger events in 2015. Kicker was found to have fixed a match at the ATP Challenger tournament in Padova, Italy, in June 2015. Kicker was also found guilty of fixing a match at the ATP Challenger tournament in Baranquilla, Colombia, in September 2015 and for failing to report a corrupt approach and of not co-operating with a TIU investigation into the allegations made against him.

Initially, Kicker was banned for six years and fined $25,000 for committing match-fixing offenses under the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program. That suspension was cut in half on the basis of Kicker committing no further corruption breaches during his suspension.

Why did the Argentinean baseliner commit corruption?

The 28-year-old Kicker, who became a father at age 19, said he crossed the integrity line and fixed matches because he needed the money.

"When it happened to me, I was about 200 in the world and I wasn't earning money," Kicker said. "I was 22 years old and I didn't know if I was going to be top 100, nor did I know I was going to win money, no one can assure you at the time.

"You're there, wobbling, you asked your old man for money, you should give your coaches money. In my case I already had a son. It's complex, although luckily... I didn't have to sign with any sponsor loan sharks, those who kill you."

The Argentinean's ban ended January 23. Kicker suggests the inequities in tennis' prize money system can make some players operating in tennis' minor leagues desperate for money and vulnerable to match-fixers, including some with mafia ties. 

"The system is not [working]," Kicker said. "For the guys in that ranking, and for those further back, it doesn't go. From 300 up they all play well and there should be a little more money."

Kicker had planned to kick-start his comeback at a tournament in Tunisia, but it was cancelled. 

Starting from scratch again he plans to play Futures events and hopes to enter pre-qualifying at some Argentinean tournaments. Kicker told Pagina12 he's been training with fellow pros Diego Schwartzman, Guido Pella, Juan Ignacio Londero and Pablo Cuevas and asserts he's held his own in practice.

"I felt at that level; they couldn't believe it," Kicker said. "I don't want to say results because then they're going to sweep me (laughs),but I've been doing great."



During his ban, Kicker said he checked days off his calendar like a prisoner anxiously awaiting release.

Now that he's received a second chance at a pro career, Kicker vows to compete clean and aim high.

"I want to get in the top 30, I think I've got the level," Kicker told Pagina12. "It's a long road, obviously, you have to work hard, win games, go through good and bad times. I have the advantage of having made the way and knowing how hard it is, although I can't trust myself either because everyone wants to beat you, they want money, they want glory.

"Inside the court are you and the other wants your points, your money, move on to the next round. There's one who wins and that's what tennis has: there's no draw, it's great, I love it. But it's very cruel."

Photo credit: Nicolas Kicker Facebook