Serena Williams Shocks By Introducing Sharapova At Hall Of Fame

Last Updated:August 24, 2025, 20:31 IST

Serena Williams surprised the International Tennis Hall of Fame, honoring Maria Sharapova and the Bryan brothers for their legendary careers and impact on tennis and sports.

Serena Williams (AFP)

Serena Williams made an unexpected and early appearance at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, stepping out from behind the stage to introduce “former rival, former fan and forever friend" Maria Sharapova for her induction on Saturday night.

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

“There are only a few players in my career who challenged me to be the very best, every single time we stepped out on the court," Williams said. “Maria Sharapova was one of them. Whenever I saw her name next to mine in the draw, I made sure I practiced harder."

Sharapova shared the sentiment.

“It’s a gift to have someone who motivates you to reach those heights. And I’ll forever be grateful for bringing out the best in me," Sharapova said in her acceptance speech. “We both knew no other way than to fight our hearts out. … We both hated to lose more than anything on this earth, and we both knew that the other was the biggest obstacle between ourselves and the trophy."

Sharapova, the first Russian woman to reach No. 1 in the rankings and one of 10 women to complete the career Grand Slam, was inducted alongside the dominant doubles team of Mike and Bob Bryan. The twin brothers ended their speech with one of their signature chest bumps.

Hall of Famers Martina Navratilova, Jim Courier, Stan Smith, and Andy Roddick were among those in attendance, donning their blue Hall of Fame blazers. Sharapova and the Bryan brothers also received a cast tennis racket, the hall’s newest offering to inductees.

In her introductory video, Sharapova was described as someone who “combined grit with glamour," and some of the stylish outfits she competed in are already displayed in the hall, including a tuxedo-inspired dress she wore at Wimbledon in 2008.

Williams highlighted that her rival was the highest-paid female athlete in the world for 11 consecutive years, thanks to endorsement income that surpassed her on-court earnings.

“She showed us all how to take excellence on the court and turn it into excellence in business, fashion, branding, and everything that she touched," Williams said. “She changed how women not only approached tennis but also sports and opportunities. She showed us that you can be fierce on the court and strategic off the court, and unapologetically herself the entire time."

Sharapova reflected on her induction as a chance to look back, something she rarely did during her career. She attributed her success to “embracing the struggles and leaning into the hard stuff."

“When voices inevitably tell you to ease up, to round your edges, dull your ambition, I hope you can find a way to ignore them," she said. “Compete fiercely. Raise your standard. Set goals that intimidate you. And don’t forget to celebrate your victories, no matter how small."

“In giving my life to tennis, tennis gave me a life," she said. “And what a remarkable, remarkable life. And I’m so deeply grateful for it."

The Bryan brothers alternated at the microphone during their speech, thanking coaches, friends, and Davis Cup teammates from a career in which they won 119 ATP titles, including 16 Grand Slams, and an Olympic gold medal. They spent a record 438 weeks atop the world rankings.

Navratilova, who won the 2006 U.S. Open mixed doubles title with Bob Bryan, praised the brothers for keeping the doubles discipline from being forgotten.

“Not too many athletes transcend their sport," she said. “For twins to do it is amazing."

Bob Bryan expressed gratitude for having “the No. 1 player in the world across the hall" for most of his career.

“Doubles was our love from Day 1," Mike Bryan said. “We loved everything about doubles. We loved the strategy, the teamwork, sharing the highs and lows. Like our personalities, our games complemented each other perfectly."

(With AP Inputs)

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First Published:

August 24, 2025, 20:31 IST

News sports Serena Williams Shocks By Introducing Sharapova At Hall Of Fame

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