WIMBLEDON, England -- Rafael Nadal is considering suing a
French newspaper which loosely linked him to a Spanish doping
probe.
Asked Monday at Wimbledon about the report in the weekly Le
Journal du Dimanche, Nadal called it "nonsense" and strongly
denied ever using performance-enhancing substances, saying: "I've
never taken anything in my life, and I never will."
A Spanish doping investigation that led to the exclusion of
several top cyclists from the Tour de France also reportedly
involves athletes from other sports. Citing unidentified sources,
Le Journal du Dimanche reported Sunday that Nadal could be one of
those other athletes.
"I don't want to speak about untrue statements," Nadal said
through a translator. He added that his manager is speaking to
lawyers about pursuing legal action.
Nadal beat Irakli Labadze 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 on Monday to reach
the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time. The two-time French
Open champion has won a record 60 consecutive matches on clay.