Saturday 23 May 2015 08:47, UK
Maria Sharapova has criticised the decision by organisers of the French Open to make the reigning men’s singles champion Rafael Nadal the No 6 seed.
Now ranked No 7 in the world, due to a poor run of form during the past 12 months, Nadal has triumphed nine times at Roland Garros where his win-loss record is an incredible 66-1.
His current ranking position is his lowest for over 10 years but Sharapova believes he has been treated ‘disrespectfully.’
The reigning women’s singles champion said: "Everyone expects so much of Rafa at this time of year.
“He loses a few matches but to put so many question marks, I think it's almost disrespectful.
"He's an incredible champion and he has no reason to be here doing it again.
"His will and motivation to keep doing it and to keep proving to himself that he can do it again is pretty remarkable.
"It's actually been a little bit sad because if I was in his shoes I'd be a pretty accomplished and satisfied player.
"He is grinding away and proving everybody wrong."
Following Friday’s draw, Nadal could be facing a quarter-final against No 1 seed Novak Djolovic, in what would be a repeat of last year’s final.
