Max Purcell was suspended for a long time. © ANSA / MICK TSIKAS

Tennis ace banned for long period due to doping

A ruling is causing a stir in the tennis world: an Australian professional has been banned until June 2026.

29 April 2025

From: dpa/det

Australian tennis player Max Purcell, who was initially provisionally banned for doping, will be banned from competing in or attending any tournaments until the middle of next year. According to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), the 27-year-old Purcell has accepted a ban valid until June 11, 2026. The US Open doubles champion admitted last December to having exceeded the permitted level during a vitamin infusion.

Purcell faces a total of 18 months in suspension. The time already served during his provisional ban, which began on December 12, 2024, and which he voluntarily accepted, will be credited. Because he cooperated with the investigation, the sentence was reduced from 24 months to 18 months, the statement said.

Results and prize money will be revoked

Purcell received infusions of over 16 milliliters between December 20 and 2023, 500. The anti-doping limit is 100 milliliters within 12 hours. According to his statements, the world number 12 had informed the clinic that he was a professional and that the infusion had to be less than 100 ml. Purcell's tournament results and prize money earned between December 16, 2023, and the first negative control sample on February 3, 2024, will be forfeited.