By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, December 23, 2024
Photo credit: Hameltion/Wikimedia
The 2024 season held Grand Slam glory and major scandal for Max Purcell.
Reigning US Open doubles champion Purcell has elected to enter a voluntary provisional suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Program, the ITIA announced today.
Dream Team: Djokovic and Kyrgios to Partner in Brisbane
The 26-year-old Aussie, currently ranked No. 12 in doubles, has admitted to a breach of Article 2.2 of the TADP relating to the use of a Prohibited Method, and requested to enter into a provisional suspension on December 10, 2024.
The suspension started on December 12, 2024, and time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction, the ITIA said in a statement.
During the provisional suspension, 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.
The ITIA did not specify what substance Purcell admitted using.
In an Instagram post, Purcell said he exceeded the "allowable limit" with an IV infusion of vitamins.
Purcell and compatriot Jordan Thompson captured the US Open doubles championship a couple of months after falling in the Wimbledon doubles final.