Rafael Nadal to sue ex-French minister over doping commentsMarch 14, 2016 - 13:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Rafael Nadal plans to sue an ex-French government minister who said his seven-month absence in 2012 was "probably due to a positive doping test", BBC Sport reports. The Spaniard is upset with comments made by Roselyne Bachelot, who was formerly Minister for Health and Sport. The 14-time Grand Slam winner, 29, says he will sue anyone else who alleges "something similar in the future". Nadal says he is tired of the allegations and is no longer prepared to let them pass unchallenged. "A minister of France should be serious," he said. "This time is the time to go against her. We are going to sue her. This is going to be the last one, because I'm going to sue her. I am tired about these things. I let it go a few times in the past. Not any more." 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 about Nadal last week, when addressing Maria Sharapova's failed drugs test. "When you see a tennis player stopping for months, it's because there's been a positive control," said the French politician. Nadal has already spoken out about the speculation surrounding him. Following Sharapova's admission last week of a failed test, the former world number one said: "I am a completely clean guy. I have never had the temptation of doing something wrong." Nadal has never failed a drugs test but has been the subject of speculation that he dopes. In 2011, former French Open champion Yannick Noah wrote a newspaper article saying Spanish sporting success was due to doping. A year later, a satirical French TV show featured a life-size likeness of Nadal filling up his car's gas tank from his own bladder before being pulled over by traffic police for speeding. Then in 2013, Belgian former professional player Christophe Rochus questioned Nadal being able to dominate the 2012 French Open and then be injured two weeks later at Wimbledon. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |