FILE -Max Purcell, of Australia, returns to Gael Monfils, of France, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, March 7, 2024, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Grand Slam doubles champion Max Purcell accepts an 18-month doping ban
SYDNEY (AP) 鈥 Two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Max Purcell has accepted an 18-month ban after breaching anti-doping rules, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said Tuesday.
FILE -Max Purcell, of Australia, returns to Gael Monfils, of France, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, March 7, 2024, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
SYDNEY (AP) 鈥 Two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Max Purcell has accepted an 18-month ban after breaching anti-doping rules, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said Tuesday.
The Australian player admitted to a breach of rules relating to the use of a 鈥減rohibited method鈥 after unknowingly receiving an intravenous infusion of vitamins above the allowed limit of 100 milliliters in a 12-hour span and entered into a
Purcell said he’d informed the clinic he was a professional athlete and that the infusion had to be less than 100 milliliters.
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The ITIA said the 27-year-old had received IV infusions of over 500 milliliters twice but his full cooperation and information sharing during the investigation had allowed for a 25% reduction in the sanction.
鈥淭his case does not involve a player testing positive for a prohibited substance but demonstrates that the anti-doping rules are broader than that,鈥 ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse said. 鈥淚t also shows 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.鈥
Purcell said the stress of the ongoing case had been 鈥渟eriously affecting (his) quality of life鈥 over the past few months.
鈥淔rom 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,鈥 Purcell said in a statement
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 sit and enjoy anything without the thought of the case and the endless possibilities of what sanction I would receive. I鈥檓 so glad this is finally over for me and I can move on with my life.鈥
Purcell teamed with Jordan Thompson to last September, and with Matt Ebden to .
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