(AP) Rafael Nadal filed suit Monday against a former French minister who accused him of doping, saying he needs to defend his integrity and image as an athlete.
Roselyne Bachelot, France’s former minister for health and sport, said on TV show Le Grand 8 that the Spaniard’s seven-month injury hiatus in 2012 was “probably due to a positive doping test.”
“I intend to defend my integrity and my image as an athlete but also the values I have defended all my career. I wish to avoid any public figure from making insulting or false allegations against an athlete using the media, without any evidence,” Rafa said in a statement.
You can read his full statement below: 
Source: AP
Thank you, Rafael, for taking a stand against Mme. Bachelot. Sports such as cycling and track and field have been destroyed by cheaters and swirling rumours. By adding “Probably” or “it appears that”, liars hope to escape defamation suits, but create controversy.
Keep fighting for your deserved place in tennis history.
Yeah Rafa! enough is enough! The question is? Can you trust in the France system?With such kind of minister …. I doubt that the have integrity
Exactly the right thing to do, Rafa. People speak as they wish and need to be held accountable, especially when what they say is careless, untrue and call into doubt your character.
Well done!
You tell them Rafa ,,, your fans trust and believe in you ,VAMOS Rafa ,don’t let this distract you from your tennis ,,,,
Distract ?? It is about defends his integrity and image! Rafa wants to kill the evil at its roots enough is enough!
Good for you Rafa best thing to do its just not acceptable anyone who states this should be sued I don’t like the comments re cheated or on drugs on any tennis players on any comments on any site is Twitter Facebook etc and beleive any so called fans should be sued for adding untrue comments
I do not know the French libel laws, but Rafa was certainly trying to send a message. I too think her comments were a bit vague, but her government position made even those more serious. I am glad Rafa did this since it shows he was serious.
I don’t know the parameters for libel in France or Spain but she is quoted as saying, “….probably due to a positive doping test,” “Probably due to” and “Due to” are not the same thing, one is a probability and the other is cause and effect. This distinction may have an impact on the outcome of the lawsuit.
RAFA ROCKS
God alone knows where Margo gets her news from, but the Guardian quotes her as saying exactly: “We know that Nadal’s famous seven-month injury was without a doubt due to a positive [drug test]. When you see a tennis player who stops playing for long months, it is because he has tested positive and because they are covering it up. It is not something that always happens, but, yes, it happens more than you think.”
Stick to watching tennis and learning for now ………
Careful I’ve seen alot of twisted articles and quotes in so called respectable papers. The latest being Boris Becker’s statement. I think it was the Mail that highlighted his reference to Rafa ‘there have always been suspicions about Rafa’. This was clearly taken out of context. My comment to them about this was disallowed.
Me parece muy acertada la medida tomada por Rafael Nadal,es la ùnica manera de parar con los comentarios mal intencionados hacia las personas .Sin fundamentos reales que no hacen otra cosa que menoscabar a los involucrados .Quizà entonces se piense antes de hablar o difamar ya que quedaràn expuestos ante la ley .
Actually Margot you are right. I’ve just checked with 3 newspapers. The quote is as you have stated above ‘probably’.
Really cupcake??? The newspapers that only YOU read are accurate enough to quote, but papers the rest of us read ‘needs to be read carefully’?????
Stick to cooking and cleaning cupcake O_O
I think the very fact that it is vague is the reason that he will win the case. Whatever her reasons for this she is calling his integrity into question and she is inviting others to do the same. Unfortunately for her, she is not the first or only person to make these allegations against Rafa but she is the most recent and the most high profile figure to do so. Nadal has been quick to point out that he does not wish to gain financially from the suit but rightly wants to put this matter to rest once and for all. I commend him for this stance. Maybe next time his haters will think before making unfounded accusations in the press.
Good for you Rafa! Anyone who has strived as much as you have for a perfect reputation cannot let some jealous and horrid people besmirch your image. Stick with it and make them pay!!!!
It’s about time Rafa. What is her problem anyway? Oh… you should not have won so many French Opens. This is her way of getting her French revenge.
Make her pay big!
RAFA ROCKS
Oui!monsieur,bravo Raphaël!💪💪💪
Glad that he decided to go ahead with the law-suit, and not like before when he threatens and doesn’t follow through. He’s doing the right thing to clear his name, and has stated that he plans to donate any damages awarded, to charity. VAMOS RAFA!!!
Rafa’s doing the right thing, not just for him self but for all Professional Athletes,,
RAFA, that’s how you do it. 100% support of your action.
RAFA fan forever.
This woman should be fired. When she said this that is when she should showed prove of
Of it. I hope she never gets another job in news. She can’t write stories without prove.
Rafa has never done drugs to enhance his proformance..
fired from what???? from retirement??? O_O
VAMOS DEAR RAFA & legal team. Best wishes with the process and I respect your desire for privacy beyond today’s statement. Your action is a good antidote for all who take gross liberty at useless damaging gossip. I do trust your wisdom dear Rafa and happy you are not letting this none essential matter have much attention in your day to day blessed life. I love how you kept your precious energy and focus on Tennis, your charities, and your business life, and you continue to develop and grow and achieve beautifully. The timing of her TV media comment was rather questionable as well…..just as you were returning strong back to top play!!! : ) Happy to congratulate you how you have earned two tournaments trophies since! VAMOS SWEETHEART & all the best!!!!! : ) Lots of love & happiness to you & yours.
Drug Cheat, NOT!
BRAVO RAFA VAMOS !!!!
ATTAQUE MAIS SURTOUT NE LA MORDS PAS tu risquerait d’être POSITIF APRES
LOL Bien dit!
Muy bien hecho, Rafa!! Estas injusticias no se pueden dejar pasar!!!
Contigo siempre!!
Yes!
Vamos Rafa!!!