Like if you're Axelsen playing against a much worse player in early round. And then someone offer you $25K just to take the match to three sets. Not even to lose. Then you look at the tournament winner prize money of only $20K after tax...$4K for 3rd place after tax. I mean it's gotta be rampant right?
If it is, then it would have been revealed by now. Like how there was the snooker thing years ago where a player was betting on HIMSELF (to lose). Obviously it came to light in the tabloid newspapers.
I think it's too much trouble/risk to reward for an individual game. That's why it's more rampant in team sports.
I absolutely do not think it's rampant. 1. Players have integrity and pride. Money doesn't mean all to a player like Axelsen. There is no reason for a player of his stature to take a risk like that. Imagine the scandal. 2. The risk. The betting companies heavily supervise sports to look out for suspicious activity. if Axelsen lose the second game to an unknown player, and somebody bet $25000 that he would lose that second game, then that is a very suspicious betting activity and it will be investigated. I'm not saying it never occurs, but I believe it's more lower ranked players that are struggling to make a living that will fall for the temptation of tanking games and matches for money. For the top players, no, they have too much pride and it's not worth the risk and they are not desperate for money.
I don't disagree with your reasoning but saying "players have integrity and pride" or "they have too much pride" is pure assumption and quite naive.
