Australian doubles champion Max Purcell has been hit with an 18-month suspension for breaching the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s anti-doping rules.
The two-time grand slam doubles champion was found to have used a “prohibited method” by receiving intravenous infusions of more than 500 millilitres in December 2023.
Australian tennis player Max Purcell.Credit: AP
The integrity agency said in a statement: “27-year-old Purcell, who reached a career-high world doubles ranking of eight in September 2024, admitted to breaching Article 2.2 of the TADP (use of a prohibited method) by receiving intravenous infusions of over 500mL on 16 and 20 December 2023.
“The limit under the World Anti-Doping Code and TADP is 100mL in a 12-hour period.
“The ITIA sent the player a notice of a potential anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) on 12 December 2024, and on the same day the player requested to enter into a voluntary provisional suspension, which came into effect immediately.
“Following a full investigation by the ITIA, which included evidence-gathering and interviews with the player, Purcell admitted to the breaches. The player’s full co-operation and information sharing with the ITIA allowed for a 25 per cent reduction in sanction.”
TIA boss Karen Moorhouse commented: “This case does not involve a player testing positive for a prohibited substance but demonstrates that the anti-doping rules are broader than that. It also shows that the ITIA considers intelligence from a range of sources with the overriding aim to protect everyone covered by the tennis anti-doping rules, and ensure a level playing field for all.”
During the period of ineligibility, Purcell is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA.
Purcell won last year’s US Open doubles title with Jordan Thompson. He also won the Wimbledon doubles crown with Matthew Ebden in 2022.
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.
Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell (right) during the men’s doubles final at Wimbledon.Credit: AP
Purcell’s provisional suspension was first announced in December.
“I unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowable limit of 100ml,” Purcell posted on Instagram five months ago. “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.”
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