Maria Sharapova has slammed the "disrespectful" treatment of fellow nine-time champion Rafael Nadal ahead of French Open.
The 28-year-old Tennis player, who boasts an astonishing record of 66 wins and just one defeat, has fallen to No. 7 in the ATP rankings, dropping his seeding to sixth, the lowest it's ever been at the clay-court major, News24.com reported.
Sharapova said in defence of Nadal that everyone expects so much of him at this time of year, adding that he loses a few matches but to put so many question marks is "almost disrespectful."
The 2012 and 2014 champion added that "incredible champion Nadal" has no reason to be here doing it again, noting that his will and motivation to keep doing it and to keep proving to himself that he can do it again is pretty remarkable.
She continued that it's actually been a little bit sad because if she was in Nadal's shoes she'd be a pretty accomplished and satisfied player, adding that he is grinding away and proving everybody wrong.
