Australian tennis player Max Purcell, a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, has accepted an 18-month suspension for breaching anti-doping regulations, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Tuesday.
Purcell admitted to violating rules related to the use of a “prohibited method” after unknowingly receiving intravenous vitamin infusions exceeding the allowed limit of 100 ml within a 12-hour period.
The 27-year-old received over 500 ml on two occasions in late 2023 and entered a provisional suspension in December.
At the time, Purcell said he informed the clinic he was a professional athlete and requested the infusion stay within the legal limit. The ITIA acknowledged his full cooperation and transparency during the investigation, granting a 25% reduction in the length of his ban.
“This case does not involve a positive test for a banned substance, but it shows that anti-doping rules extend beyond just substance use,” said ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse. “It also highlights the importance of intelligence gathering in maintaining a level playing field.”
Purcell’s suspension is set to end on 11 June 2026, with time already served taken into account. Until then, he is barred from competing in, coaching at, or attending any events sanctioned by ITIA-member organisations.
