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Rafael Nadal wins doping lawsuit, world No. 1 defends image

By Harry Floyd

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 13: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his Singles match against David Goffin of Belgium during day two of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 13, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 13: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his Singles match against David Goffin of Belgium during day two of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 13, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Rafael Nadal wins a major victory off the court this week. He comes out on top in a defamation suit involving a former French minister of health.

Rafael Nadal wins a major case for himself and athletes everywhere this week.

The year-end world No. 1 on the ATP World Tour is pleased with the result of a defamation suit. A former French Sports Minister, Roselyne Bachelot, alleged that Nadal had doped while speaking on television last year. Nadal, denying all allegations, sued Bachelot for damages and can now rest easy as a Paris court rules in his favor.

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Doping is an underlying conversation for many international sports in recent years. When it comes to tennis in particular, former world No. 1 on the WTA Tour, Maria Sharapova, has just returned to the courts after seeing a suspension for her use of a banned substance. Players and fans alike have expressed mixed opinions about Sharapova.

While there was little credence given to the allegations about Nadal beyond Bachelot’s claims, it is a huge win for both Nadal and the sport of tennis.

Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest to ever play the sport, is a 16-time Grand Slam singles winner.

The result of the court’s ruling is that Bachelot must pay 12,000 euros in damages. Nadal sought 100,000. In fine form, Nadal has announced that he will donate all of the money to a French charity. To the tennis superstar, the result of the case is less about the damages and more about protecting his and other athlete’s reputations.

Next: Jack Sock Makes Waves in London

"“I intended not only to defend my integrity and my image as an athlete but also the values I have defended all my career. 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.” – Rafael Nadal via his official statement on the case"

Rafael Nadal is without a doubt one of the most looked up to players in the sport of tennis. He has built his entire career around a belief in hard work. A great example of his work with young people interested in athletics is the Rafael Nadal Academy. The academy works with those seeking to grow as tennis players, coaches, and in the field of sports and fitness in general.

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With this case behind him, Nadal can refocus his attention to the 2018 ATP World Tour. Ending 2017 as the year-end world No. 1 is an incredible accomplishment. He also notched two more Grand Slam singles titles this year and will look to be healthy enough to make a run at Melbourne Park early next year. Stay tuned to see how Rafael Nadal fares throughout his offseason and check back for updates on the 2017 ATP Finals in London.

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