Who is Max Purcell? All you need to know about the US Open champion who's in the middle of the latest doping controversy in tennis
Max Purcell is the latest tennis player to be embroiled in a doping controversy, following Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner's brush with the same this year. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) released a statement on Monday (December 23) stating that the Australian had opted for a voluntary provisional suspension.
Purcell admitted to an offense under the rules relating to the use of a "prohibited method". His suspension came into effect from December 12. He is barred from playing, attending, coaching, or taking part in tennis activities by the members of the ITIA or any national association until further notice.
Purcell had started to make a name for himself on the ATP tour in recent years with a string of notable results. Here's a brief look into his personal background and career so far in light of his scandal:
Max Purcell is a two-time Major champion in doubles
Max Purcell was born on April 3, 1998 in Sydney, Australia, where he currently resides as well. He turned pro in 2016, and won his maiden Challenger title that year in South Korea. Purcell made his Major debut at the Australian Open 2017 after being given a wildcard to compete in doubles, and lost in the first round.
Purcell continued to grind on the Challenger and ITF circuits, and he finally had his breakthrough in 2020. He teamed up with Luke Saville and they advanced to the final of the Australian Open, the biggest final of their careers, though they failed to lift the trophy.
After a lukewarm 2021 season, Purcell joined forces with compatriot Matthew Ebden in 2022, and he won his first title on the ATP tour in Houston with him. The two would emerge victorious at Wimbledon that year. They saved eight match points en route to the title, three in the first round, and five more in the semifinals.
Purcell didn't taste the same level of success in doubles in 2023, though he did defend his title in Houston, this time with Jordan Thompson. However, he started to improve his singles results. He advanced to the second round of a Major for the first time at the French Open, and reached his first Masters 1000 quarterfinal in Cincinnati.
This helped Purcell crack the top 100, and he eventually peaked at No. 40. While his results in singles took a backseat in 2024, he started to thrive in doubles once again. He renewed his partnership with Thompson, and the two won three titles in the first four months of the season.
They came quite close to winning Wimbledon, and let go of three championship points in the final. However, they overcame that heartbreaking loss with a title at the US Open. Purcell peaked at No. 8 in the doubles ranking due to his win in New York.
Max Purcell is the third Major champion to be involved in a doping scandal in 2024 after Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner
Following the most successful season of his career, Max Purcell is now caught in a doping scandal. His offense relates to the use of a "prohibited method", while both Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner were in trouble due to the use of a "prohibited substance".
Sinner had tested positive for trace amounts of clostebol, and while he was exonerated by the ITIA, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) challenged his acquittal. The final outcome of this saga will be known next year.
Swiatek, meanwhile, tested positive for trimetazidine, after her medication was found to be contaminated with it. She was given a month-long suspension, as the ITIA felt that she should've been more responsible. With three notable players in the midst of such a scandal, tennis players will be under more scrutiny from now on.