{"id":45050,"date":"2025-04-29T09:10:51","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T09:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=45050"},"modified":"2025-04-29T09:10:51","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T09:10:51","slug":"breaking-news-australias-two-times-grand-slam-doubles-champion-max-purcell-has-accepted-an-18-month-ban-after-breaching-anti-doping-rules-the-international-tennis-integrity-agency-itia-said-on-t","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=45050","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING NEWS: Australia’s two-times Grand Slam doubles champion Max Purcell has accepted an 18-month ban after breaching anti-doping rules, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said on Tuesday."},"content":{"rendered":"

Australia’s two-time grand slam doubles champion Max Purcell has accepted an 18-month ban after breaching anti-doping rules, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said.<\/p>\n

Purcell admitted to a breach of rules relating to the use of a “prohibited method” after unknowingly receiving an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowed limit of 100 millilitres in a 12-hour span and entered into a provisional suspension in mid-December.<\/p>\n

He said at the time he had informed the clinic he was a professional athlete and that the infusion had to be less than 100ml.<\/p>\n

The ITIA said the 27-year-old had received IV infusions of over 500ml twice in late 2023 but his full cooperation and information sharing during the investigation had allowed for a 25 per cent reduction in sanction.<\/p>\n

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Purcell and doubles partner Jordan Thompson won at the US Open last year.\u00a0(Getty Images: Al Bello)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“This case does not involve a player testing positive for a prohibited substance but demonstrates that the anti-doping rules are broader than that,” ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse said.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

Purcell said the stress of the ongoing case had been “seriously affecting [his] quality of life” over the past few months.<\/p>\n

“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,” Purcell said in a statement he posted to Instagram.<\/p>\n

“I couldn’t sit and enjoy anything without the thought of the case and the endless possibilities of what sanction I would receive.<\/p>\n

“I’m so glad this is finally over for me and I can move on with my life.”<\/p>\n

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