MELBOURNE, Australia — Max Purcell, the accomplished two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, has voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension following an infraction of tennis’ anti-doping regulations.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) disclosed the suspension in a statement released on Monday after the 26-year-old Aussie acknowledged breaching Article 2.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program, which pertains to the use of a “Prohibited Method.”
In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Purcell expressed that he had “unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins exceeding the permissible limit of 100 ml.”
The player further explained that he had clearly informed the medical clinic about the necessity of keeping the infusion below 100 ml, considering his status as a professional athlete, yet the medical documentation he later obtained indicated that the IV had surpassed that threshold.
“Discovering this was a heavy blow for me, as I take great pride in being an athlete committed to ensuring that my actions are always WADA compliant,” Purcell stated. “I chose to disclose this information to the ITIA and have been completely open in my efforts to resolve this matter.”
The ITIA indicated that the provisional suspension took effect on December 12, and time served under this temporary suspension will count towards any future penalties. However, the duration of the voluntary suspension was not specified.
“Throughout the provisional suspension, Purcell is banned from participating in, coaching, or attending any tennis events sanctioned or authorized by ITIA members (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon, and USTA) or any national association,” the statement from the ITIA noted.
Purcell achieved significant success alongside fellow Australian Jordan Thompson by clinching victory at the U.S. Open in September and winning Wimbledon in 2022 with Matthew Ebden. He currently holds the No. 12 ranking in doubles.
Additionally, he was the runner-up in the doubles final of the Australian Open on two occasions, in 2020 and 2022.
Ranked No. 105 in singles, Purcell was notably absent from the Australian Open entry lists released earlier this month, missing out on both a wildcard and a place in the qualifying entries.
The ITIA has not clarified whether Purcell’s absence from the upcoming tournament starting January 12 was directly related to the suspension.
This latest doping incident surfaces just weeks after five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek accepted a one-month suspension for a positive test involving the banned substance trimetazidine.
In a contrasting scenario, top-ranked men’s player Jannik Sinner, a two-time Grand Slam champion this year, was cleared by the ITIA following two positive tests for trace amounts of an anabolic steroid, leading to an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
