Aussie dual grand slam doubles champion Max Purcell has copped an 18-month ban from tennis
Secret texts uncovered during a seven-month investigation by tennis anti-doping officials has Max Purcell facing a lengthy a hiatus from tennis and forfeiting prize money.
Australian tennis star Max Purcell revealed he has been unable to sleep and eat properly and has developed “nervous and anxious tics” after he accepted an 18-month suspension under the tennis anti-doping program, keeping him out of action until mid-2026.
After a seven-month investigation from tennis anti-doping officials, the International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed Purcell’s sanction on Tuesday and ordered him to repay over $200,000 in prize money – including from the 2024 Australian Open.
During the investigation, which was launched by the ITIA and not prompted by Purcell self-reporting, the ITIA uncovered text messages between the Australian and another player dating back to December 16 2023 where he admitted to a “hydration session” at a medical clinic.
The ITIA initially uncovered the messages on another player’s phone, and requested access to Purcell’s phone on September 25, 2024 – less than a month after he won the US Open doubles title.
“The two players exchanged a number of further messages that day concerning the infusion. These messages indicate that: (i) the Player requested the Clinic staff not to keep receipts relating to his infusion; (ii) the Player discussed ways in which he could justify receiving infusions, including feigning illness; and (iii) the Player subsequently researched whether or not the infusion was prohibited under the WADA Code (specifically, whether it was the ingredient itself or the water that was relevant to the limit of 100 mL within 12 hours). The relevance of these messages is addressed below in Section III. A,” said the ITIA in their detailed summary of facts.
It was only after ITIA contacted Purcell that he admitted to a breach relating to the use of a prohibited method after he received intravenous infusions of more than 500ml on December 16 and 20 in 2023.
The limit under the world anti-doping code is 100ml in a 12-hour period.
During Purcell’s interview on December 20, he explained the content of his messages:
“suggesting that: (i) he requested the Clinic keep the details of his treatment confidential as he likes to keep his physical state and preparations private; (ii) he raised potential justifications for infusions in case the Clinic had not deemed his symptoms severe enough for an infusion; and (iii) he retrospectively checked whether the infusion was permitted and was satisfied that it was not problematic.”
The ITIA said Purcell’s “full co-operation and information sharing” during its investigation allowed for a 25 per cent reduction in his sanction.
But he did not qualify for no fault or negligence reduction because his fault is “substantial” in that he didn’t bother to check if the IV volume was below the 100ml threshold he had instructed.
ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse said Purcell’s case should restore faith in the anti-doping system in tennis after high profile cases involving Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek eroded confidence in the system in the past year.
“The player did not self-report, the intel came to us through an investigation into a different matter. We then went to the player and his legal representatives with evidence and started an investigation,” Moorhouse said.
“This case does not involve a player testing positive for a prohibited substance but demonstrates that the anti-doping rules are broader than that.
“It also shows that the ITIA considers intelligence from a range of sources with the overriding aim to protect everyone covered by the tennis anti-doping rules, and ensure a level playing field for all.
“We have had some really high profile cases … naturally that has led to lots of questions.
“I really hope this decision does show players we are there to protect all those clean players and we have that capability.
“We have great people who really challenges ourselves to make sure we are looking at every bit of intelligence and taking the steps we can to achieve our aim.”
Allowing for time served under his provisional suspension, Purcell’s suspension will end on June 11, 2026.
The ITIA said Purcell would also forfeit results and prize money from the date of his first anti-doping rule violation (16 December 2023) to his first subsequent negative doping control sample, which was provided on February 3, 2024.
In a post on his social media account, Purcell revealed the toll the investigation had taken on him physically and mentally.
“As announced by the ITIA, I’ve accepted a settlement for a period of ineligibility of 18 months with a loss of earnings from December 16 2023 – February 3 2024 (as February 3 was my first doping test since December and returned a negative result, as all my tests have),” Purcell wrote.
“This case has been going on for months, seriously affecting my quality of life.
“From being unable to sleep and eat properly, and refusing to be by myself, to developing nervous and anxious tics which I still currently battle day to day.
“I couldn’t sit and enjoy anything without the thought of the case and the endless possibilities of what sanction I would receive.
“I was nothing but cooperative with the ITIA. I’m so glad this is finally over for me and I can move on with my life.”
Purcell revealed he had received the infusion at a medical facility after he had been feeling unwell and all substances had been WADA approved.
“The ITIA accepted that the infusion over the 100ml limit was not intentional,” Purcell said.
“It’s a case completely on exceeding the allowable limit of volume for an infusion. All substances in the infusion were WADA approved and beyond that, it provided me with zero performance enhancing benefit.
“It was 11 days prior to my first match of the season and was also administered at a 24/7 facility, in a third world location after feeling unwell and fatigued from training.
“I have accepted the mistake I made and will make sure I’m even more diligent with everything regarding the integrity of the sport.
“I pride myself on being a clean athlete and have never been anything but that. Those who know me, know that I take my anti-doping duties very seriously. So seriously, that since December 2023, when I was added into the testing pool and asked to provide my whereabouts every single day, I even changed the background lock screen on my phone so I would never forget.
“I’ll be able to compete from June 12th 2026. I am excited for the challenge and hope you all get around me for my comeback when it’s time.”
During his suspension, Purcell is prohibited from playing in, coaching at or attending any tennis events authorised or sanctioned by the ITIA.
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