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An infusion of intravenous vitamins has cost Max Purcell an 18-month suspension from tennis.
Reigning US Open doubles champion Purcell has accepted an 18-month suspension after acknowledging a violation of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program.
The 27-year-old Purcell, who reached a career-high world doubles ranking of No. 8 in September 2024 after capturing the US Open doubles crown with fellow Aussie Jordan Thompson, admitted to breaching Article 2.2 of the TADP (use of a Prohibited Method) by receiving intravenous infusions of over 500 milliliters on December 16 and 20th of 2023.
The limit under the World Anti-Doping Code and TADP is 100 milliliters in a 12-hour period.
After serving his suspension, Purcell will be eligible to return to the pro circuit on June 12th, 2026. Purcell will also forfeit about $200,000 in prize money.
"Following a full investigation by the ITIA, which included evidence gathering and interviews with the player, Purcell admitted to the breaches," the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced today. "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."
In a social media post, Purcell said In an Instagram post, Purcell said he exceeded the "allowable limit" with an IV infusion of vitamins. Purcell, who partnered Thompson to reach the 2024 Wimbledon doubles final, said the ongoing case has "seriously affected my quality of life” and he's eager to "move on."
"From being unable to sleep and eat properly, and refusing to be myself, to developing nervous and anxious tics, which I still currently battle day to day," Purcell said on social media. "I couldn't sit and enjoy anything without the thought of the case and the endless possibilities of what sanction I would receive.
"I was nothing but cooperative with the ITIA. I am so glad this is finally over for me and I can move on with my life."
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Last December, Purcell said he took the vitamin infusion during a "hydration therapy" in Bali.
"All substances in the infusion were WADA approved, and beyond that, it provided me with zero performance enhancing benefit," Purcell said.
In its report, the ITIA said a search of Purcell's phone showed he requested the clinic where he received the IV infusion delete any receipts regarding the treatment. Purcell, who won the 2022 Wimbledon doubles crown with Matthew Ebden, reportedly also used his phone to search the internet on whether the treatment was legal under WADA protocol yet still went back for a second treatment.
ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse said Purcell's case is about trying to "ensure a level playing field for all."
“This case does not involve a player testing positive for a prohibited substance but demonstrates that the anti-doping rules are broader than that," Karen Moorhouse said. "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."