Jordan Thompson rips partner Max Purcell’s ‘joke’ doping ban

Aussie tennis star Jordan Thompson has blasted the sport’s anti-doping rules after teammate Max Purcell copped a “joke” suspension.

Aussie tennis star Jordan Thompson has blasted the sport’s anti-doping rules after his grand slam winning doubles partner Max Purcell copped a “joke” provisional suspension.

Purcell volunteered information which led to him accepting a ban earlier this month, having breached the rules around “use of a Prohibited Method”.

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Specifically, the reigning US Open doubles champion “unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowable limit of 100ml”, according to his own social media post.

“I was fully convinced that I had done everything to ensure that I had followed the WADA regulations and methods,” he shared on Instagram.

“But the records show that the IV was over that 100ml limit, even though I told the medical clinic that I was a professional athlete and needed the IV to be below 100ml.

Jordan Thompson’s doubles partner Max Purcell has been suspended. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

“This news was devastating to me because I pride myself on being an athlete who always makes sure that 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.”

Purcell is expected to miss the Australian summer swing with Thompson, who is on track to be seeded in singles for the Australian Open, lashing out ahead of a lead-up tournament in Brisbane.

“It wasn’t great news for me and Maxy – and especially Max. I think it’s a bit of a joke, but there’s not a lot I can do about it,” Thompson said on Saturday.

“I don’t think he’s quite happy, and neither am I, to be honest.

“Obviously, he took too much in an IV bag, but to get suspended for that, when there are other people who are doing far worse and sometimes just get a slap on the wrist, a bit of a joke, I think.

Thompson (right) has slammed the ruling. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

“But it’s not up to me to decide what happens.

“When you look at guys testing positive, then you have Max taking too much in an IV bag, it’s a head-scratcher.”

Thompson further explained: “It’s a stitch-up. I mean, the guy took too much saltwater in an IV bag in Bali.

“He was unwell, that’s why he went there. He went to the hospital.

“I have no good words for it. It’s a joke. I mean, guys are testing positive (for) performance enhancers and he’s (Purcell) gone out and taken too much saltwater (and) they’ve suspended him.

“Take of that what you will. Anyone looking at it goes, ‘it’s so unfair’.”

It comes amid a continued furore around tennis’ anti-doping rules, with superstars Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek both testing positive to banned substances through 2024.

Both cases were not made public while they were being determined, because the players had appealed, with Sinner avoiding a ban after it was accepted a banned steroid entered his system through a massage given by a team member.

Swiatek received a one-month ban after it was accepted a low amount of trimetazidine came from contaminated melatonin medication.

Thompson will begin his Brisbane International campaign against Italian Matteo Berrettini, with compatriot Nick Kyrgios returning to the court against big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetschi Perricard.

Originally published as Jordan Thompson rips partner Max Purcell’s ‘joke’ doping ban