Grand Slam Champion Max Purcell Handed 18-Month Ban for Anti-Doping Violation
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Shamini
- . April 29, 2025
- . Update: April 29, 2025 3:40 pm
Australian tennis ace and two time Grand Slam doubles winner Max Purcell has been issued an 18 month ban for breaking anti-doping rules, the International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed on Tuesday.
The 27 year old admitted he used a ‘prohibited method’ after receiving IV vitamin infusions in the amount of over 100 milliliters in a 12 hour period. In late 2023, Purcell had two IV treatments, each of which was more than 500 milliliters, which is much more than the allowed dosage. While the infusions did not even contain any prohibited substances, the method again infringed on the anti-doping policy.
Purcell had decided to voluntarily suspend himself conditionally in mid-December and has fully complied with the ITIA’s investigation. Based on his cooperation and willingness to provide information, the sanction was reduced by 25%.
“This matter does not relate to a player positively testing for a prohibited substance but illustrates that the anti-doping rules extend beyond that,” ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse said. “It also illustrates that ITIA considers intelligence information from a variety of sources in line with the overriding objective of protecting the integrity of tennis and ensuring a level playing field for all.”
The suspension covers until June 11, 2026 and is with time served. Purcell is also required to relinquish all match results and prize earnings accumulated between December 16, 2023 and February 3, 2024, as part of the sanction.
In an open post on social media, Purcell discussed the personal impact of the case. “This has been going on for months and I have lost a lot of my quality of life… I am so happy this is now all over and I can continue on.”
Purcell, a champion in men’s doubles at both the 2022 Wimbledon and 2023 U.S. Open is one of the latest top players to receive a disciplinary sanction for violations of the doping rules.
