Aussie tennis champ Max Purcell cops massive drugs ban

After revelations he was facing an anti-doping charge last December, an Australian grand slam winner has been handed a heavy penalty.

Australian tennis star Max Purcell says he’s developed nervous “tics” during a doping ordeal that has resulted in an 18-month ban from tennis.

He’ll also have to repay more than $200,000 in prize money, including from the 2024 Australian Open.

The ban was confirmed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Tuesday, ending a saga that began when the 27-year-old, a two-time grand slam doubles champion, admitted to using a prohibited method after he received intravenous infusions on December 16 and 20 in 2023.

He was sent a notice of a potential anti-doping violation in December, 2024, and after a four-month investigation in which WhatsApp messages revealed the “hydration session” in Bali that breached the rules, the penalty was confirmed.

“Following a full investigation by the ITIA, which included evidence gathering and interviews with the player, Purcell admitted to the breaches,” an ITIA statement said.

Max Purcell (right) celebrates with Matt Ebden after winning Wimbledon in 2022. Picture: Sebastien Bozon / AFP

“The player’s full co-operation and information sharing with the ITIA allowed for a 25 per cent reduction in sanction.”

Purcell’s suspension will end on June 11, 2026, but he also forfeits results and prize money from the date of the first anti-doping rule violation (December 16, 2023) to the first subsequent negative doping control sample, which was provided on February 3, 2024.

In a message posted to social media, Purcell said the case had “seriously affected my quality of life” but was glad he could now “move on” with an aim to return after his ban ends.

“This case has been going on for months, seriously affected my quality of life,” he said.

“From being unable to eat and sleep properly and refusing to be by myself, to developing nervous and anxious tics.

Purcell’s Insta post after doping ban.

“I couldn’t sit and enjoy anything without the thought of the case and the endless possibilities of what sanction I would receive.

“I’m so glad this is over and I can move on with my life.”

Former Australian tennis player John Millman wrote on X: “Max Purcell getting an 18-month ban is a joke. There are too many inconsistencies on the tour.

“Positive testing, tue’s, intravenous regs, performance enhancing thresholds, trial times, and the list goes on. This is not finger pointing at any player but the system as a whole.”

ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse said while there was no positive drug test, the anti-doping rules were “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,” she said.

Originally published as Aussie tennis champ Max Purcell cops massive drugs ban