"Deserves not to write anymore, what he said is completely stupid" - When Rafael Nadal was angered by Yannick Noah's accusations of doping in Spain

Rafael Nadal expressed his frustration and disappointment at tennis icon Yannick Noah accusing Spanish athletes of doping. The controversial incident took place in 2011.

Noah raised eyebrows worldwide when he told the French daily Le Monde that French athletes were constantly being overpowered by Spanish athletes, suggesting it was as if Spain had discovered a "magic potion" overnight.

"How can a country (Spain) dominate sport from one day to the next? Had they discovered avant-garde training techniques and methods that no one else imagined? If you don't have the magic potion, it's difficult to win," he said (via ESPN).

The 1983 French Open champion also suggested that perhaps France should be more permissive:

"We're not being treated in the same way as the majority of our adversaries from other countries. The best attitude to adopt is to accept doping. And then everyone will have the magic potion."

Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest Spanish athletes ever, was angered by Noah's controversial remarks and told the media during the ATP Finals that the Frenchman should not be allowed to "write in newspapers anymore."

"This guy deserve not (to) write anymore in the newspaper. What he said is completely stupid. The image of the country when one guy, important guy like him, say that, is terrible," Nadal said (via ESPN).

The 22-time Grand Slam champion then likened Noah's actions to those of a child, adding:

"He knows better than anybody that to say that today is a totally stupid thing because you know how many anti-doping controls we have during the season, year by year. So in my opinion, the article that he wrote was from a kid and when one kid says something it's not painful for us."

---

Rafael Nadal's uncle Toni and compatriot David Ferrer were disappointed by Yannick Noah's comments

Rafael Nadal pictured with his uncle Toni

Rafael Nadal's uncle, Toni, expressed his frustration with Yannick Noah's comments on a Spanish radio station SER in 2011. Toni said he was "surprised" to see someone with such a "doubtful reputation" dare to make such statements.

"If he approaches Rafa to say hello, I hope my nephew tells him, in a courteous manner, what he thinks of him, because I believe it is totally incorrect for him to speak of this subject in this way," the veteran coach said.

He added:

"It surprises me that a person of doubtful reputation like him would dare to speak poorly of Spanish athletes."

Another Spanish tennis icon, David Ferrer, also voiced his displeasure with the Frenchman, stating (via El Pais):

"His son [Joakim] plays in the NBA, where there are not any anti-doping controls. Perhaps he is not the most appropriate person to speak about this."