Another Australian player receives lengthy ban after failing dope test

Another Australian player has been handed a ban after failing a dope test. Thomas Fancutt, the 30-year-old player from Brisbane, has been given a 10-month ban from taking part in tennis activities. Fancutt becomes the second Australian player to have been handed a ban after failing dope tests in the last six months.

Back in April, Max Purcell was handed an 18-month ban after he admitted to breaching the doping rules. In the statement issued by the International Tennis Integrity Agency ( ITIA), it was announced that Fancutt received a 10-month ban. The statement mentioned that the player admitted breaching the anti-doping rules in December 2024.

“The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that Australian tennis player Thomas Fancutt has accepted a suspension of 10 months under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP),” said the statement. “[The] 30-year-old Fancutt, who reached a career-high world doubles ranking of 107 in December 2024, admitted to breaching Article 2.2 of the TADP (use of a Prohibited Method) by receiving an intravenous infusion over the accepted limit on 3 December 2024. The limit under the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC) and TADP is 100mL in a 12-hour period.”

The statement continued by stating: “The ITIA sent the player a notice of a potential Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) on 7 March 2025. On 19 March 2025, the player requested to enter into a voluntary provisional suspension, which came into effect immediately. Following a full investigation by the ITIA, which included evidence gathering and interviews with the player, Fancutt admitted to the breach, and the ITIA accepted that the breach was not intentional. In determining sanction, the ITIA considered relevant precedents across all WADC-compliant sports, in addition to the player’s early admission and full co-operation.”

Expected return in January 2026

The statement also confirmed that after accepting a 10-month suspension, which will end in January 2026, the player will also “forfeit results and prize money” from the date of the first doping violation. “Time served under the voluntary provisional suspension is credited against the period of ineligibility,” the statement said. “As such, Fancutt’s suspension will end on 18 January 2026. The player will also forfeit results and prize money from the date of their first ADRV (3 December 2024) to their first subsequent negative doping control sample, which was provided on 16 January 2025.”

Fancutt, during his time of ineligibility, will not be able to take part in any events under the banner of the ITIA, ATP, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA or any national association. The player will also not be able to use any facilities that are associated with these organisations.

Fancutt, in a statement posted on his Instagram account, admitted making the mistake and expressed his desire to return to the court after spending time on the sidelines. Fancutt, in that statement, highlighted the circumstances that forced him to take the substance beyond the allowed quantity.

“To the International tennis community, at the end of my 2024 season, I unknowingly violated an anti-doping rule by receiving a 500ml IV infusion to combat severe fatigue,” he wrote. “The contents of the infusion were solely Vitamin B, Vitamin C and magnesium. The IV infusion amount however exceeded 100mls which regardless of its content is prohibited under anti-doping regulations, something I was completely unaware of at the time. I have always taken great pride in being a clean athlete, and this situation has been devastating for me. While I am deeply disappointed by the suspension, I remain fully committed to the sport and look forward to returning to competition as soon as this matter is resolved. During the time, I am fully cooperating with the ITIA and am incredibly grateful for the support of the PTPA and everyone standing by me. I appreciate your understanding and support, and I can’t wait to be back on tour.”