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US Open doubles champion Max Purcell on Monday, December 23 was handed voluntary provisional suspension under tennis’ anti-doping rules. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Monday, December 23 announced the decision on Max Purcell, who lifted the US Open doubles title in September 2022.
The decision followed after the 26-year-old accepted of violating the Article 2.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program, which relates to “use of prohibited method.” Moreover, the tennis body did not specify the timeline of the suspension, but clarified that it has come into effect from December 12.
Max Purcell suspended for using “prohibited method” under Article 2.2
The 26-year-old Australian’s suspension comes just weeks after five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek was handed one-month suspension after testing positive of a banned substance, ‘trimetazidine’. Moreover, the ITIA while announcing its decision did not clarify whether his absence from the draw for the Australian Open 2025 is due to these sanctions.
"During the provisional suspension, Purcell is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorized or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association," the ITIA statement read.
Speaking of Purcell, the World No. 12th ranked doubles player has won two Grand Slam titles till date. While his first came at the US Open in September 2022, alongside compatriot Jordan Thompson, he then went onto win Wimbledon in the same year with Matthew Ebden. The 26-year-old also finished as runners-up twice at Australian Open in 2020 and 2022.
