LONDON, April 29, 2025 (ITIA Press Release)
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that Australian tennis player Max Purcell has accepted a suspension of 18 months under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).
27-year-old Purcell, who reached a career-high world doubles ranking of 8 in September 2024, admitted to breaching Article 2.2 of the TADP (use of a Prohibited Method) by receiving intravenous infusions of over 500mL on 16 and 20 December 2023. The limit under the World Anti-Doping Code and TADP is 100mL in a 12-hour period.
The ITIA sent the player a notice of a potential Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) on 12 December 2024, and on the same day the player requested to enter into a voluntary provisional suspension, which came into effect immediately.
Following a full investigation by the ITIA, which included evidence gathering and interviews with the player, Purcell admitted to the breaches. The player’s full co-operation and information sharing with the ITIA allowed for a 25% reduction in sanction.
Time served under the voluntary provisional suspension is credited against the period of ineligibility. As such, Purcell’s suspension will end on 11 June 2026. The player will also forfeit results and prize money from the date of their first ADRV (16 December 2023) to their first subsequent negative doping control sample, which was provided on 3 February 2024.
ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse commented: “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.”
During the period of ineligibility, Purcell is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association.
To read the decision in full, click here.
