Sharapova's comments not disrespectful: Tendulkar

E-Paper | May 03, 2026

NEW DELHI: Weeks after tennis star Maria Sharapova caused a major storm in India by saying she did not recognise batting great Sachin Tendulkar, the master blaster has come out in support of the under-fire Russian.

"Sharapova's comments were not disrespectful. She doesn't follow cricket," Tendulkar said in an exclusive interview to NDTV.

Outraged Indian cricket fans left thousands of angry messages on Sharapova's Facebook page after she admitted to not recognising the cricket legend.

Tendulkar, considered a demi-god in his home country and an all-time great of the game by most fans, was among a star-studded crowd that watched Sharapova at Wimbledon in June.

When asked if she recognised the recently retired batsman, seated next to former English cricket captain Andrew Strauss and football star David Beckham, she reportedly replied that she did not.

“I was one of the biggest fans of you as a tennis star but now I will never see your matches,” wrote Vivek Kumar Pandey in one of the milder messages on the Russian tennis player's Facebook page.

Others used foul language and made threats, while Twitter users took up the tongue-in-cheek #whoismariasharapova hashtag which began trending.

Tendulkar is a regular in the Royal Box during Wimbledon.

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Calcutta Man

Jul 23, 2014 11:00am

Actually, I was quite embarrassed as an Indian by the outpouring of outrage over Sharapova's comment. Come on, she's a Russian living in the US and she doesn't follow cricket. End of story. On the other hand, how many of Sharapova's Indian detractors know that a true legend -- a legend in the real sense of the word -- acknowledged Sachin's feats on the pitch? This is what Mick Jagger tweeted the day the Master retired: Saluting you @Sachin_RT on your last Test match. Thanks for all the wonderful cricket you've shown us over the last 25 years, we'll miss you

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Abdul Rahman Khan

Jul 23, 2014 11:11am

He has proved once again - he is a thorough gentleman.

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event horizon

Jul 23, 2014 11:13am

So much for the ambitious Indian crowd. Some people do not recognize those that you worship.

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matteroffact

Jul 23, 2014 11:14am

Tendulkar, one of the most non-controversial sportsman and he has proved it time and again. I hope his lovers who vented their obnoxious anger at her would follow his character than his god-image.

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Goa Wala

Jul 23, 2014 11:28am

Come on people! Different people have different taste of games! Move on! She didn't do any blunder.

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Ravi Dallas TX

Jul 23, 2014 11:33am

We have serious issues going on in the world - Ukraine Russia airplane shooting, Israel military action on Gaza, Pakistan's military operation on militants and then Sharapova not knowing Sachin. Come on guys...

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tata

Jul 23, 2014 11:50am

@Ravi Dallas TX Hahaha you are talking as if you have all the burden to solve all these issues.

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tata

Jul 23, 2014 11:51am

@Ravi Dallas TX You are talking as if you have all the burden to solve these issues.

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Ali

Jul 23, 2014 11:56am

@Ravi Dallas TX Just sad... innit!!

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A Pakistani

Jul 23, 2014 12:00pm

Typical INDIAN behaviour, nothing new, we should expect this behaviour from INDIANS, no respect for others.........sirf mae hi mae!

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Syed Adnan Shafqat

Jul 23, 2014 12:12pm

@Abdul Rahman Khan agreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed !

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Syed Adnan Shafqat

Jul 23, 2014 12:13pm

@A Pakistani Common dear give them some space to realize about the matter ! Tendulkar is an Indian and that is something on top of everything ! He is a great gentleman !

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Viking Star

Jul 23, 2014 12:49pm

@Ravi Dallas TX Hahaha, thats really funny

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Ghalib

Jul 23, 2014 12:51pm

It is Humbleness in Sachin's character is one of the reason that has earned him the top spot in the game. Many people from both side of border should take lesson's from him

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Ramay

Jul 23, 2014 12:51pm

Cricket is played by few countries in the world according, following is very little as compared to popular games, like Tennis or game of the games football. I personally am not surprised if Sharapova does not recognize player of a game that is like by few on the earth.

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Vijaysalem

Jul 23, 2014 12:59pm

Nothing more to say. Just leave it.

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Ahmed

Jul 23, 2014 01:09pm

I agree 100% with Sharapova...and praise her wisdom...

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event horizon

Jul 23, 2014 01:52pm

@Syed Adnan Shafqat I presume you are a Pakistani. Do not forget that Tendulkar was part of Indian celebrities for fundraising (billions of Indian Rupees in a couple of days) for waging a war against Pakistan when Pakistani forces had captured Kargil (1998 or 1999). So were many movie stars that Pakistanis love. Also Kapil Dev and some other cricketers. A gentleman character will remain neutral in such political issues. If you think Kargil was Musharaf's idea and not of civilian government at that time, then research your facts well. If you say Tendulkar did it for his country, I view it as something done against my country.

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A Pakistani

Jul 23, 2014 01:54pm

As a Pakistani, i've always been an admirer of Sachin Tendulkar. The man is exquisite in his performances and batting style. But the outrage against Sharapova is not justified. Knowledge about players is something that only comes if you're thoroughly interested in those sports. I mean if somebody asked me about Cricketers, soccer players or tennis players, i would immediately recognize most of them, because i like those sports and i follow them. But if someone asks me about a Rugby player then i will be blindly clueless because i never follow Rugby. I guess that's what happened with Sharapova. She doesn't follow cricket so she didn't know about Tendulkar. The fans should show some maturity and understand that Sharapova's ignorance doesn't undermine the fantastic stature of Tendulkar as a cricketer.

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Khalid

Jul 23, 2014 02:36pm

That is the sign of a super star. Tendulkar is the coolest cricketer in the world. What makes him BIG is his down to earth mannerism. Exactly what I expected from him. Well done. People who are upset about Sherapova not knowing him, I would only say that they show their ignorance.

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Sunil

Jul 23, 2014 03:19pm

Sachin did atlast. But like some of his centuries took excruciatingly too long.

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sunny

Jul 23, 2014 03:29pm

This is all due to Big three in ICC.Time will come ,cricket will be only played and watched in india only .Indian circket players will be recognized by indian poeple only.This is a big shame to Indian cricket and bcci.India is destroying cricket.please save cricket. FIFA slogan is "Developing football everywhere." ICC slogan is "Destroying cricket everywhere"

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hameed

Jul 23, 2014 04:16pm

sachin you are such a gentleman , cricket fields will never be the same without , Ur Pakistani Fan

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Sunil USA

Jul 23, 2014 04:29pm

@sunny But few days back Mr Sethi for PCB was harping about Big 4 ?

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Calcutta Man

Jul 23, 2014 04:52pm

@Ahmed Where is the wisdom?

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alex

Jul 23, 2014 05:21pm

@A Pakistani right bro.

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Jul 23, 2014 10:37pm

She should know who Tendulkar is because she knows very well who Imran Khan is. It's an outrage!

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Munz

Jul 23, 2014 10:40pm

Well done Sachin...(And who are you exactly?) LOL...A lot of famous people do not get recognized because the particular person does not follow or care about a particular game!! Big Deal!!! Move on...

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jul 23, 2014 11:20pm

Finally better sense prevailed otherwise the Indians would have made yet another great drama out of this minor and trifle incident.

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Genesys

Jul 24, 2014 02:40am

He is world famous in India and Sharapova should have known this! Amazing that she had not heard of him and anyway our crickter has pardoned her!!!

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Canada

Jul 24, 2014 03:10am

Gosh, come on indians. Tendulkar is a nobody outside the cricket world. How many Indians know Manny Ramirez or David Ortiz? They are baseball stars that I can assure practically no one outside The Americas knows. Just so you know and before you get your panties wet again, no one cares or knows Salman Khan either.

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Syed Adnan Shafqat

Jul 24, 2014 07:03am

@event horizon Dear im very proud of being Pakistani and your comments does not comply the issue being discussed here, its about two sports persons and not that of any war or political scenario. Well i assume that your research about the facts is more than mine and im proud of that but may be we discuss the same in other future scenarios !

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Riaz

Jul 24, 2014 07:18am

Too many matches and most of his cricket in India.I think Lara was more attacking and much better record.

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Al Dallas

Jul 24, 2014 08:00pm

Although the matter is insignificant and at the heights of stupidity. However, given the emotions of subcontinent population what took so long for Mr. Tendulkar to release such statement?

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Nipun

Jul 25, 2014 09:58am

@Calcutta Man Well said.

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Last Word

Jul 25, 2014 11:05am

Sachin Tendulkar glorious cricketing career is over and he needs to be reminded that he is a Member of Parliament now where his attendance is very low which has been highlighted by many Indian dailies. He needs to focus on various sports and other issues of the country in the august house or resign if he has no time for the same.

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Rajdeep

Jul 25, 2014 01:51pm

@A Pakistani Whose behaviour you found Typical Indian? Sachin's or his fans' ????

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Nomz

Jul 25, 2014 05:34pm

I wonder how many indians know Usain Bolt. A far more serious offence than not knowing Tendulkar

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