ATP: Nadal receives 10,000 euros in compensation from former minister

Rafael Nadal receives 10,000 euros in compensation from former French Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot.

The Paris criminal court found the 70-year-old guilty of slander on Friday. In addition, Bachelot has to pay a fine of 500 euros and Nadal’s legal costs of 2000 euros.

Bachelot had accused the world number one of covering up a positive doping test. French Open record winner Nadal sued Bachelot and demanded 100,000 euros in damages.

Nadal’s lawyer Patrick Maisonneuve told the court on Monday that the doping charge could have “major consequences” for Nadal with regard to its existing or future sponsors. The 16-time Grand Slam winner has never been tested positive and vehemently denies having ever used a prohibited substance.

In March 2016, Bachelot had claimed in a TV programme that Nadal wanted to cover up a positive doping finding in 2012 with a break of several months due to an injury. At that time, the left-hander had been out of action for six months due to a knee injury.

From 2007 to 2010, Bachelot was Minister for Youth, Health and Sport under French President Nicolas Sarkozy. After that, she had ended her political career.