Australia’s two-time Grand Slam Doubles champion Max Purcell has accepted the 18-month ban after violating anti-doping rules, International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said Tuesday.
Purcell unconsciously received an IV infusion of vitamins beyond the permitted limit of 100 milliliters over a 12-hour period, and then admitted to a violation of the rules regarding the use of the “prohibited method” and concluded a temporary suspension in mid-December.
He said he was a professional athlete at the clinic and told him that the injection should be less than 100 milliliters.
According to the ITIA, the 27-year-old received two IV injections of over 500 milliliters in the second half of 2023, but his full cooperation and information sharing during the investigation allowed him to cut sanctions by 25%.
“This case does not involve a player who tests positive for a banned substance, indicating that the anti-doping rules are broader than that,” said ITIA CEO Karen Moorehouse. “It also shows ITIA that considers intelligence from a variety of sources with the top priority objective of protecting everyone covered by the Tennis Anti-Doping Rules and ensuring an equal playing field for everyone.”
Purcell’s suspension will end on June 11, 2026, after taking into account the time already available.
“This case has been going on for months and has had a serious impact on my quality of life,” Purcell wrote on social media. “I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat properly, I refused to be myself, and even developed the nervous, uneasy tics I still fight every day.
“I couldn’t enjoy anything sitting down and enjoying the thoughts of the case and without the endless possibilities of what sanctions I would receive. I was not collaborative with ITIA. I am so happy that this has finally come to an end and that I can continue my life.”
Purcell will confiscate the results and prize money, from the date of his first anti-doping rule violation on December 16, 2023 to the first negative doping control sample provided on February 3, 2024.
He is also prohibited from playing, coaching or attending tennis events approved by independent ITIA members established by the Governing Body of the Sports.
Reuters contributed to this report.
