Doping hits Tennis again! Max Purcell suspended for breach of rules

Aussie star player Max Purcell made his way into a voluntary provisional suspension under tennis anti-doping rules. The International Tennis Integrity Agency announced the sanction in a statement on December 23, Monday, after the two-time Grand Slam-winning star admitted to breaching Article 2.2 of the tennis anti-doping program. The Sydney-born star posted a statement on Instagram, saying he received an IV infusion of vitamins over 100 ml.

The 26-year-old tennis legend further stated that he had told the medical clinic that he needed below 100ml as he is a professional tennis player, but that medical records showcase that he has consumed over 100 ml.

Meanwhile, this suspension came into effect on December 12, and time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction. The length of the volunteer suspension was not specified by the tennis board.

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Purcell is the third major champion in 2024 to be charged with an anti-violation. The world number one, Jannik Sinner, who twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol in March, was found not to be at fault. On the other hand, Iga Swiatek also tested positive for TMZ in August and served a one-month ban.

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I had done everything: Max Purcell

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A post shared by Max PurceLL (@maxpurcelll)

“As announced by the ITIA today, I have voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension since I unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowable limit of 100 ml. Until last week when I received medical records from a clinic showing that the amount of an IV I had received was above 100 ml, I was fully convinced that I had done everything to ensure that I had followed the WADA regulations and methods," Max Purcell wrote lengthy post on Instagram.

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"But the records show that the IV was over that 100ml limit, even though I told the medical clinic that I was a professional athlete and needed the IV to be below 100 ml," he added further.

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