A second Australian tennis player in four months has been provisionally suspended for breaching the sport’s anti-doping rules over intravenous infusion of vitamins.
Thomas Fancutt, 30, confirmed his suspension on social media on Tuesday after it was announced by the sport’s anti-doping watchdog, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on the weekend. His case followed that of dual doubles grand slam champion Max Purcell whose ban started in December and meant he missed January’s Australian Open.
Australian doudbles player Thomas FancuttCredit: Getty Images
Both players have admitted to using a “prohibited method” as defined by the ITIA’s anti-doping program. Athletes are permitted to use IV drips, but only when fluid is below a certain threshold and within a specific time period.
In the case of Fancutt, the world No.123 doubles player who made his grand slam debut at Melbourne Park two months ago, he said he received a 500ml IV infusion late last year “to combat severe fatigue” and he was “devastated” by his ban. His provisional suspension started on 19 March.
Tennis player Thomas Fancutt’s statement on Instagram.Credit: Instagram
The World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances specifies that IV infusions or injections are banned when they exceed a 100ml threshold, or unless they are done for legitimate medical purposes such as surgery.
Last year’s US Open doubles champion Purcell (a title he won with fellow Australian Jordan Thompson) said he told the clinic where he received an infusion that the IV treatment could not exceed the threshold. The 27-year-old remains suspended from the tennis tour.
“I unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowable limit of 100ml,” Purcell posted on Instagram in December. “Until last week when I received medical records from a clinic showing that the amount of an IV I had received was above 100ml, I was fully convinced that I had done everything to ensure that I had followed the WADA regulations and methods.
“But the records show that the IV was over that 100ml limit, even though I told the clinic that I was a professional athlete and needed the IV to be below 100ml.”
Fancutt, a Queenslander who exited the Australian Open men’s doubles in the first round with Blake Ellis after they got a wildcard, said he takes “great pride in being a clean athlete”.
“At the end of the 2024 season, I unknowingly violated an anti-doping rule by receiving a 500ml IV infusion to combat severe fatigue,” he posted on Instagram.
“The contents of the infusion were solely Vitamin B, Vitamin C and magnesium. The IV infusion amount however exceeded 100mls which regardless of its contents is prohibited under anti doping regulations, something I was completely unaware of at the time.
“I have always taken great pride in being a clean athlete, and this situation has been devastating for me.”
Sport Integrity Australia has warned professional athletes about the risks of IV treatments. “Sport Integrity Australia is aware of a number of wellness clinics offering IV infusions for wellbeing, lifestyle or hangover recovery purposes,” the agency said in a February 2022 blog post. “Athletes are warned that any IV infusion over 100ml of ANY substance can result in a doping violation and a ban from sport.
“There are exceptions for legitimate medical treatments or emergencies, but in general – vitamin infusions to improve your skin, or saline infusions to help you recover from a hangover are definitely not OK.”
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