Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has claimed tennis was “in the mud” after it was announced another player had breached anti-doping rules on Monday.
Max Purcell admitted to violating Article 2.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, relating to the “use of a Prohibited Method.”
The 26-year-old is now serving a voluntary provisional suspension, which began on December 12. Purcell stated on Instagram that he had “unknowingly” received a vitamin transfusion that had exceeded the “allowed limit of 100 ml.”
His suspension comes after Grand Slam winners Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner were embroiled in doping controversies earlier this year, with the former receiving a one-month suspension.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) also appealed a decision by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that found Sinner had “no fault or negligence” after testing positive twice for the banned substance clostebol. A decision on that appeal is not expected to come until next year.
Kyrgios, meanwhile, has expressed his opinion on the situation of both players. In particular, he stated that the ITIA’s decision not to suspend Sinner was “ridiculous.” He later announced that he was looking forward to facing the Italian when he returned from injury.
Nick Kyrgios has spoken out about the recent doping controversies in tennis, after another Grand Slam winner was suspended on Monday.
Kyrgios took to
Purcell has opted to enter a voluntary provisional suspension after admitting to violating anti-doping rules.
On Monday, the 29-year-old Australian, who previously called the sport “cooked” following Swiatek’s suspension, took to X once again to say what he thinks about the recent doping suspensions.
“Gee, our sport is in the mud right now,” Kyrgios wrote on Monday, following the announcement that Purcell had been suspended.
It is not yet revealed how long Purcell will be absent, but the Australian tennis player, a two-time Grand Slam doubles winner, took to Instagram to say he was “devastated” by the news.
“As ITIA announced today, I have voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension as I unknowingly received an intravenous vitamin infusion above the permitted limit of 100 ml,” Purcell wrote on Instagram.
‘Until last week, when I received medical records from a clinic showing that the amount of IV I had received was more than 100 ml, I was fully convinced that I had done everything I could to ensure that I had followed the rules and methods of the AMA.
‘But the records show that the IV was over the 100ml limit, even though I told the medical clinic that I was a professional athlete and needed the IV to be under 100ml.
“This news was devastating for me because I pride myself on being an athlete who always makes sure everything is safe for WADA. I volunteered this information to ITIA and have been as transparent as possible in trying to put this whole situation behind me. I hope to return to the court soon.”
Meanwhile, Kyrgios is on the verge of returning from a series of injuries that have seen him play just one competitive game in the last two years.
Purcell made a statement online in which he revealed that he had “unknowingly” received a vitamin transfusion above the “allowed limit.”
In a statement on his Instagram, Purcell said he was “devastated” by the news, adding that he had told medical professionals he needed an intravenous injection of less than 100ml.
But he has been vocal in his criticism of the ITIA’s decision to exonerate Sinner.
“You are tested twice with a banned substance (steroid)… You should be absent for 2 years,” Kyrgios had written in X.
He later doubled down on those statements, telling ESPN via Nine: ‘I have to defend everything I put on social networks.
‘I’ve seen a lot of my friends go through doping stuff and get suspended. We’ve seen players like (Simona) Halep or Jenson Brooksby, players who have had their careers taken away… it seems like every time one of these things comes up, there’s always a different process for different players.
“I think he had it on his own terms most of the time. I don’t think that’s fair and equal for the rest of the tours.
“Every physiotherapist employed by a player, as well as every player… they send us a list of prohibited substances every year.
The Australian tennis star has doubled down on his criticism on social media, adding: “Everything I put on social media I have to defend.”
The ITIA concluded that Sinner had “no fault or negligence” following his positive tests, but WADA appealed its decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
‘On page five, it says ‘Forbidden at all times.’ If there is a clear, we need to get a definition of what “Prohibited at all times” means. I’m pretty sure that means no matter the amount or if it shows up…that means you tested positive.
“Why their equipment is carrying a banned substance that we know is not necessary in sport is another question in itself.”
The Australian tennis star claimed, however, that the comments were not a direct criticism of Sinner’s character.
‘It’s nothing against Sinner personally at all. He is one of the best tennis players we have now. I don’t deny it. Nothing against him personally,” Kyrgios said.
‘I’m definitely not going to be warm and hospitable like I was before. I just want equal conditions for everyone. That’s what this fight is for.
‘I took the test at my hotels two days ago. We test ourselves constantly. This is a sport that I have practiced all my life. “If the playing field is not the same for everyone, the integrity of the sport is lost a little.”