ALCARAZ RESPONDS TO PURCELL QUESTION: 'SOUNDS LIKE YOU WERE TALKING CHINESE'

Journalists fire questions at Carlos Alcaraz during French Open media day. (Getty/Antonio Borga)

Defending French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz found it difficult to answer a question about Max Purcell's 18-month suspension, admitting that the information provided sounded "Chinese".

Sydney-born Purcell was deemed to exceed the allowable limit of IV infusions to treat an illness during a trip to Bali, which is strictly prohibited despite not being classified as performance-enhancing.

He entered voluntary provisional suspension in December, before the outcome was handed down in April of last month.

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A journalist posed the question to Alcaraz about the Australian's particular case, asking: "Do you think [infusions] in pro tennis is a problem because they're not detectable in normal doping tests?"

The Spanish superstar was honest with his response.

"Well honestly, what you told me right now, it sounds like you were talking Chinese," Alcaraz said with a smile. "I have no idea what you are talking about, so I don't know if it's good or not.

"Honestly, I haven't heard that thing in my life, so I can't answer, sorry."

Purcell's return date is set for June 11 2026, after accepting the ban and opting not to appeal.

Players such as Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios have criticised the major tennis governing bodies for their poor handling and inconsistencies around doping cases, arguing for a level playing field.

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