Purcell achieved a career-best world doubles ranking of eight in September 2024.
Australian tennis star Max Purcell has been handed an 18-month ban for breaching anti-doping regulations, a decision the two-time Grand Slam doubles champion described as having “seriously affected my quality of life.”
Purcell, who was provisionally suspended in December 2024, admitted to violating the rules through the “use of a prohibited method” by “receiving intravenous infusions of over 500ml” of vitamins on 16 and 20 December 2023.
The 27-year-old, a major champion at Wimbledon 2022 and the 2024 US Open, did not return a positive test result for any banned substances.
“The threshold set by the World Anti-Doping Code and TADP is 100ml within a 12-hour period,” the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) stated.
In its statement, the agency noted: “After a comprehensive investigation, including interviews and evidence collection, Purcell admitted to the violations.”
“Purcell’s full cooperation and willingness to provide information resulted in a 25% reduction to his sanction.”
Taking into account time already served, Purcell’s ban is scheduled to conclude on 11 June 2026.
In a statement on social media, Purcell said he was “glad this is finally over for me” and that he could “move on with my life.”
He continued: “This matter has persisted for months, having a serious impact on my quality of life.”
“I have struggled with sleep, appetite, and anxiety, developing nervous tics which I am still dealing with daily.”
“It was difficult to enjoy anything without worrying about the possible consequences. I was fully cooperative with the ITIA throughout.”
As part of the sanction, Purcell must also forfeit results and prize money earned from 16 December 2023, the date of his first violation, until he provided his first negative doping sample on 3 February 2024.
“This matter does not entail a positive test for a prohibited substance, but highlights the broader scope of anti-doping regulations,” ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse said.
“It demonstrates the ITIA’s commitment to acting on intelligence from various sources in its work to uphold the integrity of tennis and ensure a fair competitive environment.”
This sanction is the latest in a series of anti-doping cases in tennis, following five-time women’s Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek accepting a one-month ban after a positive test for a banned substance.
Meanwhile, world number one Jannik Sinner received a three-month suspension last year after reaching an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency following two positive tests.
The 23-year-old is expected to return to action at the Italian Open in Rome next week.
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