By Erik Gudris | Saturday, August 23, 2025
Photo credit: International Tennis Hall of Fame Facebook
Surprise!
That was the perfect word to describe seeing all-time great Serena Williams appear as the one to induct long-time rival Maria Sharapova into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.
Williams stunned the attendees in person and the tennis world watching from around the globe as she took to the stage to celebrate the career and legacy of Maria Sharapova. Their long rivalry, though one-sided in terms of victories in favor of Williams, dominated the WTA Tour for well over a decade.
Sharapova, a former World No. 1 in singles, and five-time major champion, was inducted into the Hall of Fame along with doubles legends Bob and Mike Bryan during the ceremony.

“I know I’m probably the last person you would be expecting to see here tonight,” Williams said after receiving warm applause from the audience. “Honestly, a few years ago, I probably would have said the same thing.”
Williams revealed that indeed it was Sharapova herself who reached out to her former rival to be the one to induct her into the elite institution that celebrates the best of tennis.
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.
Williams dominated the overall head to head against Sharapova in their career. Between 2004 and 2019, Williams leads their overall match victories 20-2.
Sharapova’s win over Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final cemented the Russian as a superstar and launched the long-running rivalry that Williams would completely dominate during their careers.
“To this day, she calls it the highlight of her career,” Williams said in her speech. “And to this day, I call it one of my hardest losses.”
Williams and Sharapova would face each other in three other Grand Slam finals (2007 Australian Open, 2013 Roland-Garros, and 2015 Australian Open). Williams also defeated Sharapova in the Gold Medal Singles match at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
“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.”
Williams and Sharapova shared a warm embrace afterwards when Sharapova went up to the stage.
“Serena did more than sharpen my game,” Sharapova said in her acceptance speech , “she helped crystallize my sense of identity.”