Tennis engulfed in another doping controversy as Aussie star Max Purcell accepts provisional suspension
ATP
Tennis continues to have a real doping problem as Max Purcell has become the latest in a long line of players recently to test positive for a banned substance. Most prominent of all of course has been Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner.
Purcell, an Aussie doubles specialist has entered into a voluntary provisional anti-doping suspension. The winner of the 2024 US Open doubles title alongside Jordan Thompson, the reading states that he 'has elected to enter into a voluntary provisional suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP'.
The 26-year-old who is currently ranked World No.12 has entered into this after admitting to a breach of 'Article 2.2 of the TADP relating to the use of a prohibited method'.
That reads: "Doping is defined as ... Use or Attempted Use by a Player of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method, unless the Player establishes that such Use or Attempted Use is consistent with a TUE granted in accordance with Article 4.4."
He requested the suspension on December 10, 2024 which took effect two days later on December 12. It is another stain on the resume of tennis right now with Purcell winning doubles at both the US Open and Wimbledon. The specifics remain unclear as the ITIA declined to comment further.
Their investigation remains ongoing leaving many unanswered questions. Earlier this year, Sinner tested positive for banned substance clostebol twice. He served no suspension with no fault or negligence given. But he will go to CAS after his verdict was appealed.
While former World No.1, Iga Swiatek who has often been held aloft as the real embodiment of a fair game was one who was even more shocking as she tested positive for TMZ (trimetazidine) in August and recently served a one month ban. But it was one that received criticism with Swiatek stating that she was taking time to appoint a new coach but in reality it was mainly due to her doping violation that she couldn't play.
Australian tennis player Max Purcell has elected to enter into a provisional suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.
— International Tennis Integrity Agency (@itia_tennis) December 23, 2024
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