Max Purcell Returns to Australia's Davis Cup Squad After Anti-Doping Ban

Max Purcell has returned to Australia's Davis Cup squad after completing an 18-month anti-doping suspension. Australian Associated Press reported that captain Lleyton Hewitt selected the 28-year-old doubles specialist for the World Group I tie against Poland in Brisbane, putting him in position to play in the competition for the first time in two years.

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Australia will host Poland at Pat Rafter Arena on September 19-20. The home side must win the tie to retain a route toward competing for the Davis Cup trophy next year. Alex de Minaur leads the Australian group, with James Duckworth, Rinky Hijikata and Adam Walton also chosen. Walton could make his Davis Cup debut.

Purcell enters the squad with a strong record in the team event, having won nine of his 11 Davis Cup doubles rubbers. He is also a two-time major champion in men's doubles, winning Wimbledon in 2022 and the US Open in 2024. AAP reported that his current singles ranking is No. 803 after the lengthy interruption to his career.

The suspension arose from an intravenous vitamin infusion Purcell received while ill on holiday in Bali in December 2023. Purcell said he did not know the amount administered by a doctor exceeded the permitted 100-millilitre limit. The vitamins themselves were permitted substances. He accepted a provisional suspension in December 2024 under the International Tennis Integrity Agency's Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.

Purcell received a two-year sanction, reduced by 25 percent because of his cooperation and substantial assistance to the ITIA. He returned to competition in June and has since won a singles title at a lower-level tournament in China. His selection represents an immediate return to Australia's national team plans following that comeback.

Poland's squad is led by world No. 73 Kamil Majchrzak, who defeated de Minaur in the grass-court ATP final at 's-Hertogenbosch earlier this year. Hubert Hurkacz, Poland's top-ranked player, was not listed in the team announced on Wednesday. Purcell's doubles experience gives Hewitt an established option as Australia prepares for the home tie.