Jordan Thompson is not happy about Max Purcell’s suspension from tennis (Image: GETTY)
Jordan Thompson believes it is a ‘joke’ that Max Purcell has been suspended from tennis over an alleged violation of the sport’s anti-doping programme.Earlier this month, following a breach relating to the ‘use of a prohibited method’. He later said that he ‘volunteered’ information of his breach to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).Purcell requested to enter into a provisional suspension, which will count towards any future sanctions. A longer ban could follow but the ITIA are yet to confirm whether or not he will face additional punishment.It means that Purcell will be prevented from teaming up with Thompson at the , with the pair having secured doubles glory at the in the summer.
The two players secured doubles glory at the US Open earlier this year (Image: GETTY)
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Asked for his thoughts on the situation, Thompson said it was a ‘joke’ that Purcell had been suspended for ‘taking too much saltwater’ when other players have tested positive for banned performance enhancers.”I mean, the guy took too much saltwater from an IV bag in Bali, I think,” said Thompson. “He was unwell. That’s why he went there. He went to the hospital.”Yeah, I have no good words for it. It is a joke. I mean, guys are testing positive for performance enhancers. He’s gone out and taken too much saltwater and they’ve suspended him. Take of that what you will.”Anyone looking at it goes it’s so unfair. I don’t know. I don’t know what is going to happen to him. Yeah, I’ve definitely got my strong thoughts on it.”
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Quizzed on how he reacted to the news, Thompson replied: “I was shattered for him. We wanted to win the Australian Open. Our last two Grand Slams were a final with match points, then go back to the next Grand Slam and we win it.”Our goal was automatically, apart from Turin, to get to the Australian Open and win it. We would have been a high seed. Yeah, I guess anti-doping has other ideas.”In a statement issued earlier this month, Purcell confirmed he had breached anti-doping rules by unknowingly receiving an ‘IV infusion of vitamins’ which was above the allowed limit.He added: “This news was devastating to me because I pride myself on being an athlete who always makes sure that everything is WADA safe.”I volunteered this information to the ITIA and have been as transparent as possible in trying to put this whole situation behind me. I look forward to being back on the court soon.”