Wimbledon winner Purcell admits anti-doping breach

5 hours ago 2
Chattythat Icon

Two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Max Purcell has been provisionally suspended after admitting a breach of anti-doping rules.

The 26-year-old has taken a voluntary suspension after admitting breaking International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) anti-doping rules relating to the "use of a prohibited method".

The Australian, who won the 2022 Wimbledon doubles championship alongside Matthew Ebden, is now provisionally banned from playing in, coaching at or attending any tennis event.

The ITIA did not detail the length of Purcell's ban but it was effective as of 12 December 2024.

"Time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction," the ITIA said

The provisional suspension could rule Purcell out of January's Australian Open in Melbourne, which starts on 12 January.

Tennis Australia say the ITIA have confirmed the breach related to a prohibited method "rather than the presence of a prohibited substance".

The ITIA charged men's world number one Jannik Sinner and women's world number two Iga Swiatek over breaches of its anti-doping programme earlier this year.

Swiatek accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for a banned heart medication in August.

The 23-year-old Pole said the violation was not intentional.

Sinner twice tested positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March, which he denied knowingly using.

An independent panel accepted there was "no fault or negligence" on Sinner's behalf.

The Italian, 23, is awaiting the outcome of an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) over his exoneration.

Read Entire Article