Jordan Thompson responds to fellow Aussie and double partner Max Purcell’s drug ban

Australia’s Jordan Thompson has revealed new details and teed off over the provisional doping suspension of doubles partner Max Purcell – labelling the punishment a ‘joke’.

It was in a Bali hospital that Max Purcell received the IV drip that landed him a provisional anti-doping ban and ended his Australian summer before it had even started.

Purcell’s US Open-winning doubles partner Jordan Thompson came out swinging on Saturday, labelling the ban a “joke” and “unfair” in a scathing review of the process that cruelled the pair’s Australian Open title hopes.

“After we won the US Open we were like, ‘Yeah, let’s go for our home slam’ – now it’s not going to happen,” a frustrated Thompson said ahead of the Brisbane International which begins on Sunday.

Jordan Thompson (R) has defended Max Purcell (L) over his teammates provisional doping suspension. Picture: Getty

“It’s a stich-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’.”

Thompson, 30, is still searching for a new doubles partner in Melbourne next month after confirming Purcell’s provisional ban would remain in place for the Australian Open.

He will partner Chris O’Connell at the Brisbane International this week.

He hinted that the expectation was a ruling on Purcell’s suspension would come after the summer.

Poland's Iga Swiatek was also hit with a doping infraction this year. Picture: AFP

“I was shattered – I was shattered for him. We wanted to win the Australian Open,” Thompson said.

“Our last two Grand Slams was a final with match points, then go back to the next Grand Slam (US Open) and we win it. Our goal was automatically – apart from (the ATP Finals in) Turin – was to get to the Australian Open and win it.

“We would have been a high seed … I guess anti-doping has other ideas.

“I’m hoping it’s a slap on the wrist. As I said before, guys are testing positive, they get minimal to nothing (consequences). I don’t see why he should get anything, but it’s not up to me.

“I think he might be getting his decision after the holiday, so … we’re sitting tight.”

Singles will remain the focus for Thompson in Brisbane, where he famously ousted Rafael Nadal last January to kick-start a stunning 12 months that ended with him finishing inside the world top-30.

This year’s No.8 seed drew former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in the first round.

“Yeah it’s a tough one. He’s been playing great tennis – he broke our hearts in Davis Cup against Thanasi (Kokkinakis),” Thompson said of the Italian.

“When you play tennis you have to beat whoever is in front of you to win the tournament anyway.”

Thompson has drawn Matteo Berrettini in the first round at Brisbane. Picture: Getty

But Thompson’s first round pales in comparison to compatriot Rinky Hijikata’s, who was the first name drawn on Saturday and will face No.1 seed and 24-time grand slam champion Novak Djokoivc first-up.

“It will be a fantastic experience for Rinky,” Thompson said.

“I don’t think he’s played Novak before and to 100 per cent play him on Pat Rafter Arena, first match of the year, will be something he will remember forever.”

Nick Kyrgios drew big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard first-up and will have to fight past No.4 seed Francis Tiafoe and No.5 seed Sebastian Korda to book a semi-final date with Djokovic.

Australia’s world No.24 Alexei Popyrin is on a quarter-final crash course with Djokovic but will first have to get past his Davis Cup nemesis, Italian Matteo Arnaldi, in the first round.

Popyrin will relish another opportunity to takedown Djokovic after ousting the Serbian in four sets at the US Open in August.

In the women’s draw, Australian wildcard Kimberly Birrell drew a qualifier in the opening round but will have No.2 seed Emma Navarro for company in the second round, should she progress.