I don’t recall Clinton ever “denying” the rape allegation. IIRC he didn’t specifically comment on it at all. If he denied it, Broderick could have sued him for slander and libel. Then the depositions could begin.
He never addressed it. His attorney denied that he ever raped Juanita Broaddrick. In the Clinton world, that was the truth because her last name was Hickey at the time.