Two-time Australian doubles Grand Slam champion Max Purcell’s doping ban has been described as a “joke” by his US Open winning partner Jordan Thompson.
Purcell, 26, was provisionally suspended for violating tennis’ anti-doping program. The International Tennis Integrity Authority (ITIA) announced on Monday that Purcell had voluntarily accepted the suspension after admitting to a prohibited technique violation.
Purcell, ranked 12th in the world in doubles, opted to accept an interim suspension earlier this month, barring him from playing or coaching at ATP and ITF events, including the four majors.
In a statement posted on social media, Ms Purcell claimed she had “unknowingly received more than 100ml of intravenous vitamins, which is the maximum permissible limit”. The Sydney-born athlete also said that since his days as a professional athlete, he had told his clinic that his IV fluids needed to be under 100ml, but medical records later revealed he had exceeded that amount. Ta.
Thompson was suspended ahead of the Brisbane International, which begins on Sunday.
“It wasn’t good news for me and Maxie, especially Max,” Thompson said. “I know it’s a bit of a joke, but there’s not much I can do about it.
“I don’t think he’s very happy, and to be honest, neither am I. He put too much in the IV bag…There are people who have done worse and sometimes just got a slap on the wrist. I think it’s a bit of a joke to get suspended for that, but it’s not up to me to decide what happens.”
Mr Thompson was asked whether the process needed to be reviewed. “It’s mind-boggling to see Max overdosing in his IV bag when the man tests positive,” Thompson said.
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Thompson, who will face Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in the Brisbane International’s opening singles match, will be partnered with fellow Australian Chris O’Connell in the doubles. After teaming up with Purcell to win this year’s U.S. Open, he said he would work on his doubles plans “week by week” from there.
The ITIA has not yet disclosed the length of the ban Mr Purcell may face or details of the offenses other than being in a prohibited manner.
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“Purcell acknowledges the violation of Article 2.2 of TADP regarding the use of prohibited methods and requested an interim suspension on December 10, 2024,” ITIA said in a statement.
The ITIA is the same umbrella organization that sued world number one Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek for anti-doping program violations. Sinner tested positive for anabolic steroids twice in March, but avoided suspension after the ITIA determined he was not responsible. Swiatek also managed to accept a one-month suspension in November for testing positive for the banned drug trimetazidine.
ITIA said in a statement that it could not comment on the details of the charges against Purcell.
Before winning last year’s US Open, Purcell also won the 2022 Wimbledon double alongside fellow Australian Matthew Ebden.
