Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Australian Open, Tennis
Marcus Chan
A former Wimbledon and US Open winner is banned from taking part in the 2026 Australian Open.
On Sunday, the first Grand Slam of the 2026 tennis season will take place at Melbourne Park, Australia.
Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys are the singles defending champions, with rivals such as Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Taylor Fritz among the favourites to win the tournament.
Meanwhile, the doubles champions are Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten, as well as Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend.
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Olivia Gadecki and John Peers will be looking to defend their mixed doubles title.
British star Alfie Hewett is aiming to win the wheelchair men's singles again, with Japan's Yui Kamiji defending the women's crown.
Ahead of the much-anticipated tournament, one player remains banned from taking part.
Back in April 2025, it was reported by the BBC that Australian tennis star Max Purcell had accepted an 18-month suspension for breaching anti-doping rules.
Having been provisionally banned in December 2024, Purcell admitted to the "use of a prohibited method" by "receiving intravenous infusions of over 500ml" of vitamins on 16 and 20 December 2023.
A statement from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) read: "The limit under the World Anti-Doping Code and TADP is 100ml in a 12-hour period. Following a full investigation by the ITIA, which included evidence gathering and interviews with the player, Purcell admitted to the breaches.
"The player's full co-operation and information sharing with the ITIA allowed for a 25% reduction in sanction."
After taking into account the time he had already served, the BBC stated that Purcell's ban will end on June 11, meaning he will miss the 2026 Australian Open and the French Open.
Taking to social media at the time, Purcell said: "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."
Back in 2022, Purcell won the Wimbledon men's doubles title alongside fellow Aussie Matthew Ebden. Two years later, the 27-year-old teamed up with Jordan Thompson to win the US Open doubles title.