Serena Williams Surprises at Maria Sharapova’s Induction

In a surprise move, Serena Williams made an unexpected appearance at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, stepping onto the stage to introduce her “former rival, former fan, and forever friend,” Maria Sharapova, during her induction ceremony on Saturday evening.

Williams, a champion with 23 Grand Slam titles who will be eligible for her own induction in 2027, elicited gasps and cheers from the audience at Newport.

“Few players have driven me to be my very best every time we faced off,” Williams stated. “Maria Sharapova was one of those players. Whenever I saw her on the draw, I ensured my training was intense.”

Sharapova reciprocated these sentiments in her acceptance speech, expressing gratitude for the motivation Williams provided throughout their competitive journey.
“It’s a blessing to have someone who pushes you to excel. I’ll always be thankful for drawing out my best,” she remarked.

Sharapova, the first Russian woman to achieve the No. 1 ranking and among the few to secure a career Grand Slam, shared the spotlight with renowned doubles champions Mike and Bob Bryan during her induction ceremony.

The ceremony saw numerous Hall of Famers in attendance, including Martina Navratilova and Jim Courier, as well as the presentation of a cast tennis racket, a new honor for inductees.

Reflecting on her induction, Sharapova shared insights on her journey, emphasizing the importance of embracing challenges and setting ambitious goals. “Tennis gave me a remarkable life, and I’m immensely grateful for it,” she concluded.