We spread doping rumors because Nadal was too good: French tennis star

We spread doping rumors because Nadal was too good: French tennis star

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has been one of the few players on the ATP Tour who has persistently been suspected of doping. Multiple allegations have been levelled against him throughout the years, but none brought concrete proof.

Veteran French tennis star Gilles Simon, who recently released his autobiography titled This Sport That Makes You Crazy, writes in the book about how people simply couldn’t comprehend Nadal being so good, which led to the rumors.

“Nadal does not fit in the framework”

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the Laver Cup

Nadal’s physique is known to be one of his standout features, with his muscles being well more developed than the average seen on tour. The sheer intensity he brings with his physicality led some to question whether he was taking illicit supplements.

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Gilles Simon believes that the rumors were spread only to dispel a popular opinion at the time that Nadal was simply a better tennis player than Roger Federer, as opposed to being just a better athlete.

He wrote, “It is difficult to conceive [for some] that, in terms of game, Rafael Nadal could be better than Roger Federer. We even spread rumours of doping on his account.”

Adding that Nadal isn’t made from the standard mould of tennis players, he wrote, “Nadal does not fit into the framework. Moreover, I emphasize here that we never talk about the physique of Federer, who has little to envy that of Nadal. That he went five sets at 35 like what he did in Australia in 2017, it’s extraordinary. But no one noted this point.”

Nadal is fresh from winning an unprecedented 20th Grand Slam title, tying him with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slams of all time. He will only participate in two more events this year.

Also Read: Rafael Nadal all set to participate at the Paris Bercy Masters and Nitto ATP Finals