The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has provisionally suspended Russian tennis player Aleksei Mokrov after he tested positive for a banned substance during competition.
The 20-year-old received a pre-charge notice for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation after an in-competition sample collected on November 26, 2024, at an ITF tournament in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, was found to contain metabolites of Nandrolone—an anabolic agent prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Code.
Both the A and B samples confirmed the presence of the substance, and as Mokrov did not hold a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), a mandatory provisional suspension was issued. The suspension has been in effect since January 27, 2025. As of now, Mokrov has not appealed the decision.
At the time of the suspension, Mokrov had just reached his career-high ATP ranking of No. 1413. He hasn’t competed since December, when he participated in another ITF event in Sharm El Sheikh but exited in the second round.
While suspended, Mokrov is barred from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis events governed by organizations such as the ATP, WTA, ITF, and national bodies including Tennis Australia, the French Tennis Federation, Wimbledon, and the USTA.
Max Purcell Also Sanctioned for Separate Anti-Doping Breach
This news comes shortly after the ITIA announced that two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Max Purcell has accepted an 18-month suspension for a separate anti-doping violation.
Purcell, a former doubles world No. 8, did not fail a drug test. Instead, he breached the rules by receiving two intravenous infusions of more than 500mL each in December 2023 — far exceeding the permitted 100mL within a 12-hour period under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).
Due to his cooperation with the ITIA and sharing of relevant information, Purcell’s suspension was reduced by 25%. His time spent in voluntary provisional suspension has been credited, and he will be eligible to return to competition on June 11, 2026.