logo
Australian doubles player Purcell accepts 18-month doping ban

Australian doubles player Purcell accepts 18-month doping ban

France 2429-04-2025
The 27-year-old in December took a voluntary suspension for breaking anti-doping rules, describing himself at the time as "devastated".
Purcell has admitted receiving intravenous vitamin infusions of more than 500ml on December 16 and 20, 2023. The limit under the World Anti-Doping Code is 100ml in a 12-hour period.
His ban will end on June 11, 2026, taking into account time served out of the sport.
He will also forfeit results and prize money for the period between December 16, 2023 and February 3, 2024.
Purcell's co-operation and information sharing with the ITIA allowed for a 25 percent reduction in sanction, it said.
ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse said: "This case does not involve a player testing positive for a prohibited substance but demonstrates that the anti-doping rules are broader than that."
Purcell won the 2022 Wimbledon doubles title alongside fellow Australian Matt Ebden and the US Open crown in 2024 with Jordan Thompson.
His is just the latest doping controversy in tennis.
Former women's number one Iga Swiatek is back in action after last year accepting a one-month ban after testing positive for a banned substance.
Men's number one Jannik Sinner has been out of action since accepting a three-month doping ban in February after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March last year.
The three-time Grand Slam winner is due to return before the Rome Open, which runs from May 7-18.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Smiling through: Alcaraz won't let Wimbledon defeat get him down
Smiling through: Alcaraz won't let Wimbledon defeat get him down

France 24

time30 minutes ago

  • France 24

Smiling through: Alcaraz won't let Wimbledon defeat get him down

The world number two, who was defeated in a Grand Slam final for the first time in his career in London last month, spent his first full day at the Cincinnati site on Wednesday and said he is ready for a reboot during the second half of the season. "Even if I lost, I left the court proud after Wimbledon," the 2023 Cincinnati finalist said. "But the goals can change during the second half of the season. "My goal is to keep doing the right thing and improving. I want to enjoy my time on and off the court. "But I also want to try and recover the number one ranking by the end of the year," he added. The world number two, who joined the top-ranked Sinner in skipping the ATP Toronto Masters, said he spent a refreshing three weeks at home in Spain after his Wimbledon defeat. "I took a week off, not doing anything. Then I started training at home and visiting with friends and family. Just being at home in the summer - I couldn't believe it. "I tried to make the most of my time. I wanted to come strong to Cincy." Alcaraz, who beat Sinner in the French Open final before falling to the Italian at Wimbledon, said he is "happy to be building such a rivalry. "We've done a lot in tennis in a short period of time," he said. "People talk about what we have done for the history books. But we have long careers ahead of us.. let's see how far we can go."

Sinner lukewarm on expanded Cincinnati format
Sinner lukewarm on expanded Cincinnati format

France 24

time4 hours ago

  • France 24

Sinner lukewarm on expanded Cincinnati format

The world number one will be defending his title at the final big event prior to the August 24 start of the US Open. Extending the ongoing Canada event - and Cincinnati - to 12 days with 96-player draws also means that WTA and ATP events in Canada will stage unorthodox finals on Thursday while play is beginning in Cincinnati. Sinner said that given the choice he would opt for the classic system of one-week events for an increasingly crowded calendar. "We (top players) cannot control everything," the Italian said. "The fans now have two weekends to hopefully watch some good tennis. "That is exactly what we need in this sport." But the Wimbledon champion who skipped Canada to rest after his triumph two weeks earlier in the final at the All England Club over Carlos Alcaraz added: "I would prefer a one-week event, it's something that I like. "But it's OK, I'm here and I'm very happy." Other top 10 players, including Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur, have also complained in recent days about the wholesale calendar rewrite which has the enthusiastic endorsement of the ATP and WTA. Sinner said that he enjoyed his time away from the courts, spending time at home with family and friends. "Then it was back to practice to try and get as ready as possible for the US swing." He said Wimbledon, where he beat Alcaraz after losing to the Spaniard at Roland Garros, "felt very, very special."

Fritz banishes brain freeze to advance into ATP Toronto semis
Fritz banishes brain freeze to advance into ATP Toronto semis

France 24

timea day ago

  • France 24

Fritz banishes brain freeze to advance into ATP Toronto semis

The American claimed his place in a fifth semi-final of the season after losing served while trying to close out what had been looking like a quick win, finally coming through into the last four at this level for the first time after 83 minutes. The Californian will wait for a Wednesday semi-final opponent as Ben Shelton takes on Alex de Minaur. Fritz admitted he was struck by brain freeze as he served for victory leading a set and 5-4. After saving three break points he put a return into the net for 5-all as Rublev held on. "That game was so shaky for me, we had both been holding serve easily, everything felt calm and chill," he said. "It came out of nowhere, the pressure of that game. It was tight and my brain just turned off. "The only thing to do is to come back and try to win the set. That's what is able to make it all feel not as bad." Fritz did just that, closing out the win 15 minutes later in the second-set tiebreaker with a serve winner. Fritz struck a personal-best 20 aces (for three-set matches) among his 29 winners. He now stands 6-4 over Rublev. The American has now won 19 of his last 22 matches including reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store