ITIA Suspends Tennis Star Purcell Over Alleged Doping
2 years ago 2 min read
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Tennis star Max Purcell has been provisionally suspended after admitting to breach of anti-doping rules.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced in a statement on Monday that the Australian admitted to violating Article 2.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program “relating to the use of a Prohibited Method”.
The statement reads: “During the provisional suspension, Purcell is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorized or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association,”
The length of time of the voluntary suspension was not specified by the ITIA.
Purcell revealed that he unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowed limit of 100ml, adding he was convinced he followed World Anti-Doping Agency regulations and methods.
He said: “But the records show that the IV was over the 100ml limit, even though I told the clinic that I was a professional athlete and needed the IV to be under 100ml.
“This news was devastating because I pride myself on being an athlete who makes sure everything is WADA safe. I volunteered this information to the ITIA and have been as transparent as possible in trying to put this whole situation behind me.
“I look forward to being back on the court soon.”
The latest doping violation in tennis comes just weeks after five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine.
She accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for a banned heart medication in August.
Sinner was tested positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March, which he denied knowingly using.
An independent panel accepted there was “no fault or negligence” on Sinner’s behalf.
Purcell won Wimbledon in 2022 alongside Matthew Ebden and the 2024 US Open alongside Jordan Thompson.
He also finished as a runner-up in the Australian Open doubles final twice, in 2020 and 2022.
Purcell was not listed on the Australian Open entry lists released earlier this month, and did not receive a wildcard or feature on the qualifying entries.
