Max Purcell Receives 18-Month Tennis Ban for Doping

Australian tennis player Max Purcell, a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, has been banned for 18 months after breaching anti-doping rules by receiving two intravenous vitamin infusions of over 500ml each in December 2023, despite not testing positive for banned substances. Purcell had informed the clinic of his professional athlete status and fully cooperated with the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), earning a 25% reduction in his sanction. His suspension is retroactive to mid-December 2023 and will end on June 11, 2026. He must forfeit results and prize money earned from December 16, 2023, to February 3, 2024. Purcell described the lengthy investigation as distressing, leading to severe anxiety and nervous tics, but expressed relief at its end. The ITIA highlighted the case's demonstration of anti-doping rules covering prohibited methods as well as substances.