Australian tennis star and two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Max Purcell has accepted an 18-month suspension from professional tennis following a breach of anti-doping rules, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has announced. The ban stems not from a banned substance, but from the use of a prohibited method—specifically, receiving intravenous infusions above the allowed volume limit.
What happened?
In late 2023, Purcell unknowingly received two IV infusions of over 500 millilitres—far exceeding the permissible limit of 100ml in a 12-hour period under tennis anti-doping regulations. The 27-year-old admitted fault, stating that he had informed the clinic of his status as a professional athlete and instructed that the infusion must remain under the legal threshold.
Despite his precautions, the treatment exceeded the limit, placing him in violation of the anti-doping code, which bans certain methods regardless of substance content due to their potential performance-enhancing effects or masking capabilities.
READ MORE: National Power Outage Halts Play at Madrid Open, Disrupting Major Tennis Event
“This case does not involve a player testing positive for a prohibited substance but demonstrates that the anti-doping rules are broader than that,” said Karen Moorhouse, ITIA Chief Executive. “It also shows 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.”
Cooperation earns reduction
Purcell’s full cooperation with the ITIA’s investigation allowed for a 25% reduction in his sanction. He began a provisional suspension in mid-December 2023, meaning his ban will officially end on June 11, 2026.
During the suspension, Purcell is prohibited from participating in, coaching at, or attending any events sanctioned by the sport’s governing bodies or members of the ITIA. He must also forfeit all prize money and ranking points earned between his violation date (December 16, 2023) and his first negative doping test (February 3, 2024).
Personal toll
In a candid Instagram post, Purcell described the mental and emotional toll of the investigation, admitting the process had left him struggling with anxiety, insomnia, and stress-related tics.
“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,” he wrote. “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 finally over for me and I can move on with my life.”
Grand Slam success and suspension fallout
Purcell is best known for winning the men’s doubles titles at Wimbledon in 2022 and the US Open in 2023, the latter with fellow Australian Jordan Thompson. His suspension marks a significant blow to Australia’s doubles prospects and sidelines one of the country’s most promising tennis figures for nearly two full seasons.
A broader crackdown on non-substance violations
Purcell’s case underscores a growing trend in tennis anti-doping enforcement: scrutinizing not only what substances athletes ingest but also how they treat their bodies.
It follows other high-profile cases, including world number one Jannik Sinner, who was cleared of wrongdoing following failed tests for the banned anabolic agent clostebol but still accepted a negotiated three-month ban. Polish star Iga Swiatek, a four-time French Open winner, received a one-month ban last year after testing positive for a prohibited substance believed to have been introduced through contaminated sleep medication.
The ITIA’s focus on method-based violations signals a tightening of oversight in elite tennis and a warning to athletes that compliance extends beyond banned drugs to clinical procedures.
What’s next for Purcell?
Purcell will remain ineligible to compete or coach in any official capacity until mid-2026, when he can return to the ATP tour. While the suspension may significantly impact his ranking and momentum, it does not necessarily spell the end of his career. With a clean record and proven ability at the highest level, Purcell may yet make a comeback once the ban expires.
Until then, he joins a growing list of tennis professionals facing tough sanctions not for deliberate doping, but for unintentional breaches in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
Correction Note: A previous version of this article misstated the number of infusions. Purcell received two IV infusions exceeding 500ml each, not one.
