- Jordan Thompson didn’t mince words
- Incredible at Max Purcell’s pending doping suspension
- Adamant, his fellow Australian, is a clean athlete
The pending doping suspension of two-time Australian doubles Grand Slam winner Max Purcell has been branded a “joke” by his furious fellow US Open winner Jordan Thompson.
Purcell, 26, was provisionally suspended for an alleged violation of tennis’ anti-doping program, and this follows the four-week suspension imposed by world number two Iga Swiatek earlier this year.
Men’s star Jannik Sinner also avoided a ban in 2024 despite failing two doping tests, prompting a furious reaction from Australian Nick Kyrgios.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on December 23 that Purcell had voluntarily accepted the suspension, after admitting an infraction related to a prohibited method.
Purcell, the world’s No. 12 doubles player, decided to accept the provisional suspension, ruling him out from playing or training in any ATP and ITF events, including the four majors.
In a statement published on social networks.Purcell claimed that he had “unknowingly received an intravenous infusion of vitamins in excess of the allowable limit of 100 ml.”
The pending doping suspension of two-time Australian doubles Grand Slam winner Max Purcell has been branded a “joke” by his furious fellow US Open winner Jordan Thompson (pictured).
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on December 23 that Max Purcell (pictured) had voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension, after admitting an infraction involving a prohibited method.
The Sydney-born player also said he had told the medical clinic the infusion needed to be less than 100ml as he was a professional athlete, only to later see medical records showing he had been given more than that level.
The news prompted Thompson to attack, ahead of the Brisbane International which begins on December 29.
‘It wasn’t great news for me and Maxy, especially Max. “I think it’s a joke, but there’s not much I can do about it,” Thompson said.
“I don’t think he’s very happy and neither am I, to be honest.”
“He got too much in an IV bag… to be suspended for that when there are other people who have done much worse and sometimes they just get a slap on the wrist, I think it’s a bit of a joke… but it’s not up to me I decide what happens.”
Thompson was asked if the process needed to be reviewed.
“When you look at guys testing positive and then you see Max taking too much on an IV bag, it’s a headache,” Thompson added.
Thompson, who will play Italy’s Mateo Berrettini in the first round of singles at the Brisbane International, will now play fellow Australian Chris O’Connell in doubles.
Max Purcell has not yet been informed how long he will be suspended for (pictured after winning the US Open men’s doubles final with Jordan Thompson)
From there, he said he would continue “week after week” with his doubles plans after having accompanied Purcell in his impressive triumph at this year’s US Open.
The ITIA has not yet specified the length of the ban Purcell could face, nor the details of the violation, other than that it is a prohibited method.
“Purcell… has admitted a breach of Article 2.2 of the TADP in relation to the use of a prohibited method and has requested to enter into a provisional suspension on December 10, 2024,” the ITIA said in a statement.
In a statement, the ITIA said they could not comment on the details of the allegations leveled against Purcell.
Before winning the US Open last year, Purcell also claimed the 2022 Wimbledon doubles crown alongside fellow Australian Matthew Ebden.