Nadal wins defamation case over doping allegations

World number one Rafael Nadal has won the defamation case against former French sports minister Roselyne Bachelot after she levelled doping allegation against the Spanish tennis maestro.

Roselyne Bachelot, who served as Minister for Health and Sport of France between 2007 and 2010, had alleged that Nadal's seven-month injury break in 2012 was due to the failed drug test.

During a court hearing in Paris on Friday, Bachelot was handed a fine of 500 euros besides being ordered to pay 12 000 euros in damages and legal fees to the 16-time Grand Slam champion over the allegations she made in March this year.

Following the verdict, Nadal expressed that he has utmost respect and confidence on the French legal system.

"When I decided to go to court it was not only to defend my own reputation as a sportsman but also to defend the values I have always held throughout my career. The motive as I said at the time was never about money," Sport24 quoted Nadal as saying.

In October, Nadal's lawyer, Patrick Maisonneuve, had informed the court that the doping allegations levelled by Bachelot could have had "major consequences" for his client, concerning his "existing or future sponsors".

The lawyer had further told that Nadal had asked him to put the matter to rest by passing on his medical file, which clearly reveals a very serious left knee injury.

It should be noted that the 16-time Grand Slam champion has never failed a drugs test and had defended his training methods and out-rightly rejected to have used any banned substance in order to speed up his recovery from injury.

Earlier, Nadal had withdrawn from the ATP World Tour Finals because of a knee injury.

Nadal was defeated by Belgium's first-time qualifier David Goffin with the score of 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, before announcing his decision to discontinue the competition.