Max Purcell: Australian grand slam champion cops provisional ban for anti-doping breach

Australia’s two-time doubles grand-slam winner Max Purcell has been provisionally suspended over an alleged violation of tennis’ anti-doping program.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Monday that Purcell had voluntarily accepted the suspension, after admitting to a breach relating to a prohibited method.

The world No.12 doubles player elected to accept the provisional suspension earlier this month, ruling him out of any ATP, ITF and Tennis Australia events.

It means the 26-year-old will at this stage not be able to compete at the Australian Open, months after winning the US Open doubles title alongside Jordan Thompson in September.

The ITIA has not yet specified the length of the ban Purcell was potentially facing, or the details of the breach other than it being a prohibited method.

According to a Sport Integrity Australia guide, such breaches usually relate to either masking or enhancing performance.

They also potentially include the manipulation of blood and blood components, chemical and physical manipulation of drug-testing samples, or gene and cell doping.

“Purcell ... 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 10 December 2024,” the ITIA said in a statement.

“The suspension came into effect on 12 December 2024, and time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction.”

Purcell also won the 2022 Wimbledon crown alongside fellow Australia Matthew Ebden.