Australian grand slam doubles champion Max Purcell has been provisionally suspended after admitting to breaching the sport’s anti-doping regulations.
Purcell, who is ranked world number 12 in doubles at present, admitted to using a “prohibited method” as defined by the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s (ITIA) Anti-Doping Programme.
Max Purcell at the 2024 Australian Open.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
The 26-year-old has accepted a voluntary suspension, which took effect on December 12. This means he is prohibited from playing in, coaching or attending any authorised tennis event.
In a statement, the ITIA said the matter was ongoing. It did not give any time frame for the suspension.
Purcell would have likely received a wild card to the coming Australian Open, which starts on January 12.
He is an accomplished doubles player, having won the Wimbledon title in 2022 and the US Open title in 2024.
Max Purcell (left) and Jordan Thompson after their 2024 US Open win. Credit: AP
Purcell reached the men’s doubles final at the Australian Open 2022, where he and partner Matthew Ebden lost to Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios. He also reached the doubles final in 2020.
At the 2024 Australian Open, Purcell and men’s doubles partner Jordan Thompson reached the second round of the tournament. The pair were expected to reunite this year.
He is now ranked world No.105 in singles, having reached his highest rank of 40 last year. He has reached the second round of the Australian, French and US Opens.
Purcell’s suspension comes after five-time major winner Iga Swiatek accepted a one-month ban in November following her positive test for a banned substance.
Months earlier, men’s world No.1 Jannik Sinner accepted a similar ban, after a positive test for a prohibited substance that he said entered his system through a massage given by his physiotherapist.
Tennis Australia and Purcell have been contacted for comment.
