The doping ban of Australia’s two-time doubles grand-slam winner Max Purcell has been described as "a joke" by his furious US Open-winning partner Jordan Thompson.
The 26-year-old Purcell was provisionally suspended over an alleged violation of tennis’ anti-doping program.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Monday that Purcell had voluntarily accepted the suspension, after admitting to a breach relating to a prohibited method.
Purcell, the world No.12 doubles player, elected to accept the provisional suspension earlier this month, ruling him out of playing or coaching at any ATP and ITF events, including the four majors.
In a statement posted on social media, Purcell claimed he had “unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowable limit of 100 ml".
The Sydney-born player also said he had told the medical clinic that the infusion needed to be below 100ml since he was a professional athlete, only to later see medical records that showed he had been given more than that level.
The news prompted Thompson to hit out, ahead of the Brisbane International which starts on Sunday.
"It wasn’t great news for me and Maxy, especially Max. I think it’s a bit of a joke, but there’s not a lot I can do about it," Thompson said.
"I don’t think he’s quite happy and neither am I to be honest.
"He took too much in an IV bag … to get suspended for that when there are other people who have done far worse and sometimes just get a slap on the wrist it’s a bit of a joke I think but it’s not up to me to decide what happens."
Thompson was asked whether the process needed reviewing.
"When you look at guys testing positive and then you have Max taking just too much in an IV bag, it’s a head scratcher," Thompson said.
Thompson, who will play Italy's Mateo Berrettini in the opening singles round at the Brisbane International, will partner fellow Australian Chris O’Connell in the doubles.
From there he said he would take it "week by week" with his doubles plans after he partnered Purcell in the their stunning US Open triumph this year.
The ITIA has not yet specified the length of the ban Purcell was potentially facing, or the details of the breach other than it being a prohibited method.
“Purcell ... has admitted to a breach of Article 2.2 of the TADP relating to the use of a Prohibited Method, and requested to enter into a provisional suspension on 10 December 2024,” the ITIA said in a statement.
The ITIA is the same governing body that levelled charges against world No.1s Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, for breaches of the anti-doping program.
Sinner tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March, but avoided a ban because the ITIA determined he was not to blame.
Women’s counterpart Swiatek also managed to accept a one-month suspension in November for testing positive to the banned substance trimetazidine.
In a statement, the ITIA said they could not comment on the specifics of the accusations levelled against Purcell.
Prior to winning the US Open last year, Purcell also claimed the 2022 Wimbledon doubles crown alongside fellow Australia Matthew Ebden.
