New Delhi: 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal said that he is far from doping and is a completely clean guy to blast unfounded rumors that he had used performance-enhancing drugs.
Tennis world was shocked with the revelation of Russian sensation Maria Sharapova, who is the highest-paid woman in sports, had said on Monday that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open due to a substance she has been taking for 10 years for health issues.
Nadal defended his training methods and denied he had ever used a banned substance.
Nadal, who will be playing the Indian Wells tournament said that he never had the temptation of doing something wrong and that he is completely clean.
"I have never had the temptation of doing something wrong. I am very far from that, doping. I am a completely clean guy. I worked so hard during my career that when I get injured I never take nothing (banned) to be back quicker," said Nadal.
The 29-year-old Nadal has faced a lot of rumours surrounding him with doping and the Spaniard said he is tired with these talks.
"I heard it a few times again about doping from my person and I am a little bit tired with that," Nadal said.
He also went on to add that he believes in the sport and its values and that it is an example of society.
"I believe in the sport and the values of the sport. The sport is an example for society. It is an example for the kids and if I am doing something that goes against that, I will be lying to myself, not lying to my opponents."
Meanwhile, Sharapova had been tested positive for Meldonium, which was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency`s banned list this year.
Nadal said Sharapova needs to be punished highlighting it as a matter of negligence.
"It is difficult to imagine that something like this can happen. But mistakes happen. She should be punished. I want to believe it is a mistake for Maria. She didn`t want to do it. But obviously it is negligence. She must pay for it."
(With Agency inputs)
