09-09-2019, 02:54 AM
Rafael Nadal has filed a defamation lawsuit against former French sports minister Roselyne Bachelot after she accused him of covering up a failed drugs test. Nadal has also written to the president of the International Tennis Federation and asked for all of his drug-test results and blood profile records to be made public as he looks to draw a line under the matter.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, said world no 5 Nadal.I also wish to prevent any public figure from making insulting or false allegations against an athlete using the media, without any evidence or foundation.Bachelot, who served as sports minister between 2007 and 2010, made the comments in March on French television when asked about five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapovas admission that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open.She alleged that Nadal faked an injury in 2012, when he missed the final six months of the season due to knee problems, in order to hide a positive drug test. Former politician turned television show host Roselyne Bachelot I am tired about these things. I let it go a few times in the past. No more, the 14-time Grand Slam champion said at Indian Wells last month.The Spaniard, who turned professional as a 15-year-old, has never failed a drug test on the ATP Tour and has always vehemently denied ever using a banned substance.In a further development, Nadal wrote a letter to ITF President David Haggerty, saying: Please make all my information public. Please make public my biological passport, my complete history of anti-doping controls and tests.He also asked for all his future test results to be released. Nadal wants the ITF to make public all of his previous and future drug tests Major sports stars came to Nadals defence when the allegation surfaced, including Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane.I feel bad for Rafa Nadal because he is a gentleman, a person that has shown the values he has and that everyone loves, he said of Nadal, who is an honorary member of Real Madrid.He is a professional and I know him a little. I feel bad for what they have said. He has to leave all this to one side and think that everyone who loves sport, loves Rafa Nadal, whether they be French, Spanish or American.In his statement, the 29-year-old tennis star said that if the court considered there had been wrong-doing and awarded him damages, all money would be given to an NGO or foundation in France.I ask for total respect regarding the legal procedure just started and would like to express my complete trust in the French justice system who will be judging the legal case, he added. Also See: Nadal claims Barcelona title Broady suffers first-round loss Verdasco triumphs in Romania Kerber defends Stuttgart title Trevor Lewis Kings Jersey .I get texts: Do you know Drake? Have you met Drake? He sits there every night, he hears me cuss out the referees every night, Casey said, laughing. Custom Los Angeles Kings Jerseys . So heres what I do when I want to get into the baseball mood—I delve into "The Baseball Project". http://www.kingsauthentic.com/authentic-...gs-jersey/. Saltalamacchia drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning, Henderson Alvarez won for the first time in three starts and the Miami Marlins beat the Braves 3-2 on Thursday night. Dustin Brown Jersey . The NFL announced Friday that the Texans sixth-year veteran offensive lineman will replace Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jason Peters in the Jan. Robyn Regehr Jersey . Kelli Stack and Alex Carpenter also scored for the Americans, who avoided a repeat of Finlands upset at the Four Nations Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y., in November. Finnish goalie Noora Raty made 58 saves in that one, but the three-time Olympian could stop just 40 of 43 U.ST. LOUIS -- The Tampa Bay Rays have placed right-handed pitcher Joel Peralta on the 15-day disabled list with an undisclosed illness. The move, announced Tuesday, is retroactive to July 13. Peralta, who has returned to Tampa for tests, is 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA in 433 appearances.dddddddddddd The Rays recalled left-hander Jeff Beliveau from Triple-A Durham to replace Peralta on the roster. Beliveau, who was 0-0 with a 1.50 ERA in 30 appearances for the Bulls, joined the Rays for Tuesday nights game in St. Louis. ' ' '