Australia’s Max Purcell accepted the 18-month ban that violated anti-doping rules if two-time Grand Slam Doubles champions stated that they “had a serious impact on my quality of life.”
Purcell, who was temporarily suspended in December 2024, granted “using a prohibited method” by “receiving an intravenous infusion of 500 ml or more” of vitamins on December 16th and 20th, 2023.
The 27-year-old, who appeared in the major titles at Wimbledon in 2022 and at the 2024 US Open, tested positive for the banned substance.
“The limits under the global anti-doping code and TADP are 100ml over a 12-hour period,” says the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
In a statement, “Following a full investigation by the ITIA, Purcell admitted the violation, including gathering evidence and interviewing with players.
“Full player cooperation and information sharing with ITIA have allowed us to reduce sanctions by 25%.”
Purcell’s ban ends on June 11, 2026, after taking into account the time he has already served.
“I’m glad this has finally ended for me,” Purcell said in a social media post, “I can continue my life.”
He added: “This incident has been going on for months and has had a serious impact on my quality of life.
“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 sitting down and enjoying anything without the idea of the incident and the infinite possibilities of what sanctions I would receive.
“I was nothing but working with ITIA.”
Parcel will also 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.
“This case does not include players who test positive for prohibited substances and shows that the anti-doping rules are broader than that,” said Karen Moorhouse, ITIA CEO.
“ITIA shows that it 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 arena for all.”
This is the latest doping case for tennis after Iga Sweet, the winner of five women’s singles grand slams who accepts a month’s ban after testing positive for a banned substance.
World Men’s No. 1 Giannik Thinner has accepted a three-month ban from tennis after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency with two positive drug tests last year.
The 23-year-old is set to return to action for the home tournament at the Italian Open, which begins next week in Rome.
