Nadal demands ‘justice’ after doping allegations

Spaniard rubbishes claims he faked injury to hide positive drug test

INDIAN WELLS: Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal hit back on Saturday at a claim that he faked an injury in 2012 to cover up a failed drug test.



The 14-time major winner said it was unfathomable that someone would accuse him of using a false injury to try and escape the wrath of anti-doping officials. “Me?” he asked. “You can ask the ITF [International Tennis Federation], you can ask WADA [World Anti-Doping Agency], you can ask everybody.”

Nadal has never failed a drug test in his many years on the ATP Tour and has always vehemently denied ever using a banned substance. “I never did and I will never do and I don’t want to talk about that again,” said the Spaniard.



Roselyne Bachelot, France’s former sports minister, recently claimed that Nadal had faked an injury in 2012, when he missed the final six months of the season due to knee problems, to hide a positive drug test.

Nadal said he wants his name cleared and for people to stop pointing fingers at him. “I have been working so hard during the whole of my career to have the success that I have and now is the moment to do justice,” he said. “I am tired of that and I want justice.”



Nadal further said that he was pleased to see all the support he has received in the wake of Bachelot’s comments. “Just thanks for the support from the people,” he said. “It is great to see the huge support from the world of sport.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2016.

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