Patrick McEnroe is certain that Rafael Nadal is a clean athlete as he thinks that the Spaniard would have certainly been caught if he was using prohibited substance. For two weeks straight, Nadal was using anaesthetic injections and painkillers to be able to compete at the French Open.
After winning a record 22nd Grand Slam title at the French Open, some started putting out various conspiracy theories. “So Nadal goes on to win. I don’t know how he does it, he said he took some painkilling injections.
I’m no Doctor, I don’t know exactly what they are. People, you know, there are conspiracy theorists now coming out in the tennis world. There’s one conspiracy that Nadal is doping, he’s taking some sort of drug,” McEnroe said on Holding Court with Patrick McEnroe podcast.
“Look, they test him all the time at the majors and whatever they’re putting in his ankle, I tink it’s just a painkiller. Again, I’m not a doctor, I don’t know exactly what it is, but if it was something that was against the rules he’d be caught.”
Rafael Nadal followed the rules
All the rumors prompted WADA Director General Olivier Niggli to react and he made it clear that the Spaniard did nothing illegal. “If a product is on the list of prohibited products, it means that it has an effect on performance, that it is bad for health, and that it is contrary to the ethics of sport.
Anaesthetic injections are not prohibited. It’s not an oversight. The question arose. It was discussed. They are not on the list because they do not improve performance and are fundamentally not bad,” Niggli said. After winning the French Open, Nadal returned to Spain for a treatment on his foot. This Monday, Nadal kicked off his preparation for Wimbledon. Nadal is in the running for a Calendar Grand Slam.
