Rafael Nadal has been defended by the World Anti Doping Agency after receiving backlash from a fellow athlete for his use of anaesthesia injections during the French Open.
The world No 4 won a record-extending 14th title in Paris and 22nd overall Grand Slam on Sunday and admitted he was forced to numb the nerve in his foot to dull the pain of his chronic injury.
Nadal was something of an unexpected winner at Roland Garros this year despite having won the title 13 times before, as he limped off the court of the Italian Open two weeks before the tournament with his chronic foot injury bothering him once again.
But the 36-year-old managed to extend his lead over Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the Grand Slam race by winning a 22nd overall Major title and 14th crown in Paris.