Australia’s two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Max Purcell has accepted an 18-month doping ban, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said on Tuesday.
Purcell was provisionally suspended in December 2024. Now, he had admitted to the “use of a prohibited method” by “receiving intravenous infusions of over 500ml” of vitamins on 16 and 20 December 2023.
“The limit under the World Anti-Doping Code and TADP is 100ml in a 12-hour period,” said the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
In a statement, it added: “Following a full investigation by the ITIA, which included evidence gathering and interviews with the player, Purcell admitted to the breaches.
The 27-year-old in December took a voluntary suspension, describing himself at the time as “devastated” and saying he had not intended to break anti-doping rules. He said this had been “seriously affecting my quality of life”.
The Aussie’s ban will end on June 11, 2026, taking into account time served out of the sport.
He will also forfeit results and prize money for the period between December 16, 2023 and February 3, 2024.
Max Purcell’s co-operation and information sharing with the ITIA allowed for a 25 percent reduction in sanction, it said.
Writing on Instagram, Purcell said: “I have accepted the mistake I made and will make sure I’m even more diligent with everything regarding the integrity of the sport.”
“I’m so glad this is finally over for me and I can move on with my life,” he added.
Also Read: 5 Tennis Players Banned for Doping: Shocking Cases In The Sport
Purcell won the 2022 Wimbledon doubles title alongside fellow Australian Matt Ebden and the US Open crown in 2024 with Jordan Thompson
This is the latest doping controversy in tennis. Former women’s number one Iga Swiatek last year accepted a one-month ban after testing positive for a banned substance.
ATP world number one Jannik Sinner has been out of action since accepting a three-month doping ban in February after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March last year.
