Max Purcell, who won the Wimbledon men's doubles title in 2022, has accepted an 18-month ban from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The 27-year-old will be sidelined for at least a year and a half following a breach of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. He will be cleared to return from June 2026, with his ban starting from December 2024 when he was first notified of a potential violation.

In a statement, the ITIA said that Purcell admitted to receiving intravenous infusions of over 500 millilitres in December 2023, resulting in his suspension. His sanction was reduced by 25 per cent due to his full cooperation with the ITIA. He entered into a voluntary suspension on the same day he received notice of a possible anti-doping rule violation on December 12, 2024.

The man from Sydney will also be forced to give up his prize money from the date of his first violation on December 16, 2023 to his first subsequent negative doping control sample on February 3, 2024.

During his period of ineligibility, Purcell will be banned from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA. These include the ATP, WTA and ITF as well as any national association.

Karen Moorhouse, chief executive of the ITIA, 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.

"It also shows that the ITIA considers intelligence from a range of sources with the overriding aim to protect everyone covered by the tennis anti-doping rules, and ensure a level playing field for all."

Purcell addressed the news of his anti-doping ban in a lengthy Instagram post, writing: "This case has been going on for months, seriously affecting my quality of life.

"From being unable to sleep and eat properly, and refusing to be by myself, to developing nervous and anxious tics which I still currently battle day to day.

"I couldn't sit and enjoy anything without the thought of the case and the endless possibilities of what sanction I would receive. I was nothing but cooperative with the ITIA. I'm so glad this is finally over for me and I can move on with my life.

"The ITIA accepted that the infusion over the 100ml limit was not intentional. It's a case completely on exceeding the allowable limit of volume for an infusion.

"All substances in the infusion were WADA approved and beyond that, it provided me with zero performance-enhancing benefit. It was 11 days prior to my first match of the season and was also administered as a 24/7 medical facility, in a third world location after feeling unwell and fatigued from training."

Purcell has won two Grand Slam titles in doubles, getting off the mark at Wimbledon in 2022 alongside partner Matthew Ebden. He followed up by winning last year's US Open with fellow Aussie player Jordan Thompson.