Rafael Nadal: I'll sue over doping claims made by former French minister

Taking action: Rafael Nadal said he is “tired” of false accusations
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Kiran Randhawa14 March 2016

Rafael Nadal today said he will sue an ex-French government minister who has accused him of doping.

Roselyne Bachelot, who was formerly Minister for Health and Sport, said the tennis player’s seven-month absence from the sport in 2012 was “probably due to a positive doping test.”

The 14-time Grand Slam winner, 29, who has been the subject of similar allegations in the past, said he is tired of being wrongly accused and this time will take legal action.

“There is a couple of times I heard comments like this... this is going to be the last one, because I’m going to sue her,” he said. “I am tired of these things. I let it go a few times in the past. Not anymore.”

Speaking after he won in the second round at Indian Wells in California, the Spaniard added: “A minister of France should be serious. This time is the time to go against her.”

Bachelot, 69, served as Minister for Health and Sport from 2007 until 2010, under the government of former president Nicolas Sarkozy.

She made the allegations last week while commenting on Maria Sharapova’s failed drug test and potential four-year ban from the sport.

She alleged he faked an injury when he missed the last few months of the season in 2012 due to knee problems.

After Sharapova admitted last week that she tested positive for banned substance meldonium at the Australian Open in January, Nadal insisted: “I am a completely clean guy.

“I have never had the temptation of doing something wrong.”

At the weekend, Spanish football team Real Madrid defended Nadal.

A club statement said: “Rafa Nadal represents the fundamental values of sport.

“His greatness and his incredible achievements have always been based upon a foundation of exemplary conduct, unwavering work, talent and astonishing levels of commitment.

“This being the case, our institution considers the attacks made on his person by former minister Roselyne Bachelot to be unjustifiable and unacceptable.”

The claims were also rejected by the International Tennis Federation. A spokesman said: “Accusations of (former sports minister) Roselyne Bachelot against Rafael Nadal are not only surprising, but also incorrect.”

It stated that any doping violations have to be made public as required by the rules of the world anti-doping code.

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