Sharapova enters tennis Hall of Fame with surprise cameo by Serena Williams | Tennis
Serena Williams made a surprise appearance – and early – at the renowned temple of international tennis, emerging from behind the scene to present “the old rival, former fan and friend forever” Maria Sharapova for her enthronement on Saturday evening.
Williams, a Grand Chelem champion at 23 times who will be eligible for her own consolidation in 2027, attracted hannels and howls of the crowd to the Newport sanctuary.
“There are only a few players in my career who challenged me to be the best, whenever we came out on the field,” said Williams. “Maria Sharapova was one of them. Whenever I saw his name next to mine in the draw, I made sure to practice stronger. ”
And the feeling was mutual.
“It is a gift to have someone who motivates you to reach these heights. And I will be eternally grateful to have come out the best of me,” said Sharapova in his acceptance speech. “We only knew only to fight.
The first Russian woman to have reached n ° 1 in the ranking and one of the 10 women to finish the big career chelem, Sharapova was joined in the 2025 class by dominating the team of Double Mike and Bob Bryan. The twin brothers ended their speech with one of their brand breast bumps.
The temple of renown Martina Navratilova, Jim Courier, Stan Smith and Andy Roddick were one of those of the crowd, carrying their Blazers Blue Hall of Fame. Sharapova and the Bryan Brothers also received a tennis racket which is the new offer of the room to inducted.
Sharapova was described in her introductory video like someone who “combined the grain with glamor”, and some of the elegant outfits in which she has contributed are already displayed in the hall – including a dress inspired by the tuxedo she wore when she won Wimbledon in 2008.
Williams noted that his rival was the most paid female athlete in the world for 11 consecutive years – strengthened by an approval income that exceeded his gains on the ground.
“She showed us all how to take excellence in the field and transform it into excellence in business and fashion, brand image and all that she touched,” said Williams. “She changed the way women have not only approached tennis, but also sports and opportunities. She has shown us that you can be fierce in the field and strategic out of the field, and shamelessly herself all the time. ”
Sharapova said her enthronement had given her a chance to look back – something she tried not to do when she played. And she has credited her success to “embrace difficulties and look at difficult things”.
“When the voices inevitably tell you to relieve yourself, get around your edges, reduce your ambition, I hope you can find a way to ignore them,” she said. “Failed fiercely. Make your standard. Set the objectives that intimidate you. And don’t forget to celebrate your victories, no matter the size.
“By giving my life to tennis, tennis gave me a life,” she said. “And what a remarkable and remarkable life. And I am so deeply grateful.”
The Bryans shared a speech as if they were hitting in turn on a field, alternating in the microphone as they thanked the coaches, the friends and teammates of the Davis Cup for a career in which they won 119 ATP titles, including 16 Grand Slam and an Olympic gold medal. They spent a record of 438 weeks at the top of the world ranking.
Navratilova, which won the title of US Open 2006 mixed doubles with Bob Bryan, attributed to the brothers to have prevented the disciplines of being forgotten.
“Not too many athletes transcend their sport,” she said. “For twins, it’s incredible.”
Bob Bryan said he was lucky because “for most of my career, I had player No. 1 in the world on the other side of the corridor.”
“Double was our love from the first day,” said Mike Bryan. “We liked everything about the doubles. We loved strategy, teamwork, sharing and ups and downs. Like our personalities, our games completed perfectly. ”
