Rafael Nadal says he will sue a former member of the French government over claims he missed eight months in 2012 due to a "positive doping test".

Roselyne Bachelot, 69, was Minister for Health and Sport between 2007 to 2010 under former French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

"A minister of France should be serious," said Nadal, who reached the third round of the Indian Wells Masters with a 6-2 3-6 6-4 win over Gilles Muller on Sunday evening.

"This time is the time to go against her. We are going to sue her

"This is going to be the last one, because I'm going to sue her. I am tired about these things. I let it go a few times in the past. Not any more."

Bachelot made the claim after Nadal missed eight months of action in late 2012 and early 2013 with a knee injury. He was forced to sit out the London Olympics, the 2012 US Open and the 2013 Australian Open because of a stomach virus.

"When you see a tennis player stopping for months, it's because there's been a positive control," said Bachelot.

The 14-times Grand Slam winner also plans to sue anybody who makes similar allegations in the future.

Nadal referred to his personal situation after Maria Sharapova last week tested positive for using a newly banned drug Meldonium.

"I am a completely clean guy," said Nadal. "I have never had the temptation of doing something wrong."

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