Champion of U.S. Open faces suspension, required to return garnered earnings.
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Let's dish on the scrape Max Purcell's found himself in - a 18-month suspension from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), thanks to a wee oversight in the doping dept. The 27-year-old Aussie tennis ace, who nabbed the doubles gong at the US Open, copped a suspension lasting till June 11, 2026. Seems like he unwittingly popped his vitamin IV crack a bit too much, breaching the acceptable limit.
Purcell's boo-boo was down to a couple of IV infusions - over 500 milliliters worth - slurped down between December 16 and 20, 2023. Anti-doping rules laid down a strict limit of 100 milliliters within a 12-hour window. He did tell the clinic he was a pro, asking for less than 100ml, but they apparently decided to ignore his request. For his trouble, his on-court results and hard-earned cash between December 16, 2023, and his first legitimate doping test on February 3, 2024, have been scrapped.
The ITIA wasn't all heartless, though. Purcell scored himself some cooperation bonuses, with his penalty being slashed from 24 months to 18 months. His volunteer suspension from December 12, 2024, also got him some credit, helping him serve out his time sooner - mid-next year.
Purcell's case is a lesson in obeying the rules, even when your provider can't be trusted with your life's work - or wellness.
Despite his cooperation, Purcell still lost potential profits from his tennis career during the suspension period due to his sports-related misconduct. His 18-month ban from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and the scrapping of his on-court results from December 16, 2023, to his first legitimate doping test on February 3, 2024, significantly impacted his earnings from tennis. Moreover, his love for tennis, particularly tennis aces like himself, took a temporary hit as he needed to focus on his suspension, rather than competing in tournaments.
