Rafael Nadal once shot back at doping accusations from former French Secretary of Sport Roselyne Bachelot. This wasn’t the first time he faced such claims; former Grand Slam champion Yannick Noah and former Belgian pro Christophe Rochus did so in 2011 and 2013, respectively.

Nadal told the media in 2016:

“You know what? I heard [about the accusations] a few times again. I am a completely clean guy. I have never had the temptation of doing something wrong. When I get injury, I get injury. I never take nothing to be back quicker.”

“I have been open all my career. I never tried to hide nothing that I did. I did PRP, and then I did stem cells.”

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Rafael Nadal’s special message for Casper Ruud, Carlos Alcaraz after Bastad dubs win

Nadal had some nice words for Ruud and Alcaraz after starting his Bastad doubles run with the Norwegian with a win.

Rafael Nadal had some selected words for Casper Ruud after their Bastad doubles opener, calling the Norwegian “an amazing player” and just sounding happy about teaming up with him this week.

On Monday afternoon in Bastad, Nadal and Ruud routinely got the job done in their first-ever match as a doubles pair as they destroyed second-seeded Guido Andreozzi and Miguel Reyes-Varela 6-1 6-4 to reach the quarterfinal.

In the past, 25-year-old Ruud spoke numerous times about how he used to idolize Nadal as a kid. And since 38-year-old Nadal wanted some doubles preparation for the Paris Olympics, he hit up Ruud earlier this month and asked him if he was willing to play some doubles with him.

Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud© Getty Images Sport – Adam Pretty

For Nadal, this match marked his first Bastad appearance since 2005. In the past, Nadal made three consecutive Bastad appearances between 2003 and 2005 and won the title in 2005.

Nadal on playing Bastad doubles with Ruud, congratulates Carlos Alcaraz

“Good afternoon. It’s a pleasure playing with a good friend and amazing player like Casper here. It was a good match. We played quite well for the first time playing together. Happy to be back here after almost 20 years,” Nadal said after his and Ruud’s opening doubles win.

“It’s a beautiful thing for me. I have great memories from this place from 2003, 2004, and 2005. I’m enjoying this week and hopefully I’ll keep going.”

After showing his appreciation for Ruud, Nadal also congratulated Alcaraz on winning his second Wimbledon title and his fourth Grand Slam title. Also, the 38-year-old Spaniard took a moment to congratulate the Spanish national football team on winning the European Championships.

“I think the Spanish team played amazing from the first day of the Euros to the last. The whole country is very proud. A very happy day yesterday too with Carlos winning Wimbledon. It was an amazing day for Spanish sport. Sport generates  motivation & passion for people. That’s good for the country without a doubt. Hope to see Norway in the next important competitions,” Nadal said.

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Source: The Wall Street Journal