Former Wimbledon doubles champion Max Purcell banned for 18-months, forced to give up one year of prize money

Max Purcell, a former Wimbledon men's doubles champion has accepted an 18-month ban from the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) for a doping breach and will be sidelined for at least a year and a half. He has also been forced to give up a year of Prize Money.

Purcell cannot return until at least June 2026 in a verdict which no doubt will stir the pot given that Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner received retrospective one month and three month bans.

In the statement, it said that Purcell admitted to taking IV infusions of over 500ml in December 2023. This resulted in his suspension. He admitted it so it was reduced by 25% and he entered into a voluntary suspension back in December 2024.

But despite cooperating, Purcell is now banned for over a year from now. He will also be forced to give up his prize money won from December 2023 to February 2024. During this time, he will be banned from playing, coaching or attending any tennis events. These include ATP, WTA and ITF.

Karen Moorhouse, chief executive of the ITIA, said: "This case does not involve a player testing positive for a prohibited substance but demonstrates that the anti-doping rules are broader than that.

"It also shows that the ITIA considers intelligence from a range of sources with the overriding aim to protect everyone covered by the tennis anti-doping rules, and ensure a level playing field for all."

Purcell took to Instagram to pen a statement and he admitted that it has massively took a toll on his life over recent months so is glad it is now over and he can move on.

"This case has been going on for months, seriously affecting my quality of life.

"From being unable to sleep and eat properly, and refusing to be by myself, to developing nervous and anxious tics which I still currently battle day to day.

"I couldn't sit and enjoy anything without the thought of the case and the endless possibilities of what sanction I would receive. I was nothing but cooperative with the ITIA. I'm so glad this is finally over for me and I can move on with my life.

"The ITIA accepted that the infusion over the 100ml limit was not intentional. It's a case completely on exceeding the allowable limit of volume for an infusion.

"All substances in the infusion were WADA approved and beyond that, it provided me with zero performance-enhancing benefit. It was 11 days prior to my first match of the season and was also administered as a 24/7 medical facility, in a third world location after feeling unwell and fatigued from training."