Max Purcell, the 2024 U.S. Open men’s doubles champion, admitted violating anti-doping rules and was provisionally suspended pending an investigation.
Purcell, who had been suspended since December 12, admitted and requested a temporary suspension on December 10. Rules regarding the use of tennis balls.
Purcell said in a statement on Instagram: “I voluntarily accepted a temporary suspension because I unknowingly received an intravenous infusion of vitamins in excess of the allowed limit of 100 milliliters. It was not until last week when I received medical advice from the clinic. When records show that I received an intravenous injection of more than 100 ml, I was fully confident that I had done everything possible to ensure that I complied with WADA’s regulations and methods.
“But the records showed that the intravenous volume exceeded the 100ml limit, even though I told the clinic I was a professional athlete and required intravenous volumes of less than 100ml.”
According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), “Infusion or injection of 100 ml or less within 12 hours is permitted unless the substance infused/injected is on the Prohibited List.”
In WADA regulations, “prohibited methods” have three possible definitions: blood manipulation, broadly known as blood doping; chemical and physical manipulation, including all forms of tampering or tampering with blood or urine samples, Also included are intravenous infusions; and gene and cell doping. Purcell’s violations were chemical and physical manipulation.
ITIA has not yet commented on the specific details of Purcell’s breach.
As the suspension is temporary, it is unclear how much tennis Purcell will miss, but that time will count toward any final sanctions when the investigation into his case is concluded. Although he is ranked 105th in the world and just out of qualifying for the main draw, he was absent from the singles wildcard list of the Australian Open.
The doubles roster has not yet been announced, but Purcell, who won the U.S. Open last September with compatriot Jordan Thompson and is ranked 12th in the world in doubles, is expected to enter the home Grand Slam. Purcell also won the Wimbledon men’s title in 2022 with another Australian, Matt Ebden.
Purcell is the third Grand Slam champion in 2024 to be accused of anti-doping violations. Reigning Australian Open champion and world number one Jannik Sinner tested positive for the banned substance clostebol twice in March, and three independent tribunals convened by the ITIA found he was not fault. Sinner, who also won the U.S. Open, is awaiting the outcome of WADA’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which could see him banned for two years.
French Open champion Iga Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine in August (TMZ) and was suspended for a month. Her interim suspension covered a 22-day ban, causing her to miss three games. Swiatek was found not to have committed any major wrongdoing.
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