Rafael Nadal files lawsuit against former French minister

Rafael Nadal has filed a defamation lawsuit against former French minister Roselyne Bachelot.

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Rafael Nadal filed a defamation lawsuit Monday against former French minister Roselyne Bachelot.

Bachelot, who previously served as France’s minister for health and sport, accused the Spaniard of doping during her appearance last month on French television show Le Grand 8. She claimed that Nadal’s seven-month injury respite from tennis in 2012 was “probably due to a positive doping test.”

“Through this case, I intend not only to defend my integrity and my image as an athlete but also the values I have defended all my career,” Nadal, 29, said in a statement. “I also wish to avoid any public figure from making insulting or false allegations against an athlete using the media, without any evidence or foundation and to go unpunished.”

• WERTHEIM: What are Nadal’s odds in Paris?

If the 14-time Grand Slam singles champion wins the case, he will reportedly award his earnings to an NGO or French foundation.