Speaking at her pre-tournament press conference, two-time Roland Garros champion Maria Sharapova said the media’s treatment of the nine-time champion and still reigning king of clay has been “almost disrespectful.”

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“"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,” Sharapova said. "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.”