“Surprise!” Serena Williams introduces Maria Sharapova at International Tennis Hall of Fame induction ceremony
The longtime rivals shared the stage once again, in Newport.
From the beginning of her Hall of Fame-worthy career, Maria Sharapova has been linked with Serena Williams.
Their bond has endured—all the way to Sharapova’s induction in Newport, Rhode Island.
On Saturday evening, Williams unexpectedly introduced Sharapova before the five-time Grand Slam champion’s acceptance speech at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
“I know I’m probably the last person you would be expecting to see here tonight,” Williams said after thundering applause. “Honestly, a few years ago, I probably would have said the same thing.”
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How did it happen? Let Serena explain it all:
A few months ago, Maria texted me that she needed to talk … when I called her, she asked if I would introduce her into the Hall of Fame. Before she could even finish her question, I said yes—loud, immediately, with my whole chest. Because, of course, it’s Maria.
“Who would have thought?” said Sharapova. “Serena Williams interviewed me for a full hour to prepare for today’s speech.”
The first of Sharapova’s five Slam victories came at Williams’ expense: a 6-1, 6-4 result on Wimbledon’s Centre Court that announced Sharapova to the world at large.
“To this day, she calls it the highlight of her career,” said Williams. “And to this day, I call it one of my hardest losses.”
Williams would exact revenge on Sharapova for the rest of her career—winning their last 18 encounters, and 20 of 22 overall—but the fact remains that neither players’ story is complete without the other.
“Serena did more than sharpen my game,” said Sharapova, “she helped crystallize my sense of identity.”
And for one more Saturday, the same day of the week they squared off in four Grand Slam finals (2004 Wimbledon, 2007 Australian Open, 2013 Roland Garros, 2015 Australian Open), the two sporting icons were at the center of the tennis world once again.
“Maria and I were once the fiercest of rivals, we had our differences—to the world, we looked miles and miles apart,” said Williams. “But the truth is, we weren’t. We wanted the exact same thing, at the exact time: to be the very best.
“That’s what made our rivalry so electric, and so iconic.”
Positioned as rivals on tour, Williams and Sharapova often shared the stage while sharing respect for one another. That has continued in retirement, with Williams noting in an April interview with Time, “just weirdly and oddly, I can’t help but think about Maria all this time.” The quote was in reference to several high-profile players receiving suspensions for banned substances. “I can’t help but feel for her.”
Williams stood up for Sharapova then, and stood alongside her today, as the 38-year-old took her place among the sport’s all-time greats—a place Serena herself will soon join.
