Max Purcell accepts provisional suspension for breaching tennis doping rules

An Australian tennis player has ‘elected’ to accept a provisional ban after admitting to breaching the sport’s anti-doping rules.

Australian tennis player Max Purcell has been provisionally suspended after admitting to “unknowingly” breaching the sport’s doping rules.

It was announced on Monday by the International Tennis Integrity Agency that Sydney’s Purcell, who won this year’s US Open men’s doubles title with fellow Australian Jordan Thompson, had elected to “enter into a voluntary provisional suspension” under the sport’s anti-doping program.

An ITIA statement said that 26-year-old Purcell had admitted to a breach in relation to the use of a prohibited method, and “requested to enter into a provisional suspension” on December 10.

In an Instagram post, Purcell explained that he had “unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowable limit of 100 ml”.

Max Purcell has been provisionally suspended for breaching the sport’s doping regulations. Picture: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for LTA

“I was fully convinced that I had done everything to ensure that I had followed the WADA regulations and methods, 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 100 ml,” he said.

“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.”

Despite the length of the provisional suspension yet to be announced, Purcell – the world’s 12th ranked men’s doubles player – is set to miss Australia’s summer of tennis, including next month’s Australian Open.

Due to the matter being ongoing, ITIA can not make any further comments until its conclusion.

Originally published as Max Purcell accepts provisional suspension for breaching tennis doping rules