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Legendary Indian cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar has told NDTV that he didn’t expect tennis Maria Sharapova to know who he was since the Russia ace didn’t follow cricket.

In an exclusive chat with NDTV on Tuesday, the retired cricket legend said:

[quote]Sharapova’s comments were not disrespectful. She doesn’t follow cricket.[/quote]

A section of Tendulkar’s fans created a massive hue and cry after media reports said the tennis Grand Slam champion wasn’t aware of Tendulkar’s name.

[button class=”btn_smallgray” url=”http://newsfirst.lk/english/2014/07/enraged-tendulkar-fans-blast-maria-sharapova-social-media/43511″ text=”Enraged Tendulkar fans blast Maria Sharapova on social media”]

During Wimbledon, when Sharapova was asked at her post-match press conference is she knew that a cricket icon had come to see her play, the five-time Grand Slam champion said she had met David Beckham a few times but wasn’t familiar with Tendulkar.

“Sachin Tendulkar was the other person who came in at the same time as David. Do you know who Sachin is?” The French Open winner flatly replied: “I don’t.”

Tendulkar is a regular visitor at the Royal Box during Wimbledon. He is a good friend of Roger Federer.

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