Rafael Nadal has filed a lawsuit against Roselyne Bachelot over the former French minister's claims that he was once guilty of doping.
The world number five has sued the ex-Minister for Health and Sport over her recent allegations that his 2012 injury layoff was "probably due to a positive doping test".
"I intend to defend my integrity and my image as an athlete but also the values I have defended all my career," said Nadal in a statement.
"I wish to avoid any public figure from making insulting or false allegations against an athlete using the media, without any evidence."
The 14-time Grand Slam winner, who maintains that his 2012 absence was due to tendinitis and a virus, revealed intentions to sue Bachelot in March.
Bachelot served as part of Nicolas Sarkozy's government from 2007 to 2010, but is no longer active in politics.
Written by
Mark Langshaw
Mark Langshaw
