Serena Williams surprised the crowd at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport by emerging from behind the stage to introduce Maria Sharapova as she was inducted on Saturday night. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who will be eligible for her own enshrinement in 2027, drew gasps and cheers as she called Sharapova a “former rival, former fan and forever friend” and spotlighted the intense battles they shared on the court.
There were few moments more electric than Williams’s remarks about the rivalry that sharpened both players. “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 echoed the sentiment in her acceptance speech, calling their competition a gift that helped propel both to greater heights. “We both knew no other way than to fight our hearts out,” she said, noting that neither liked to lose and that the other was “the biggest obstacle” to the trophy.
Sharapova, the first Russian woman to reach No. 1 and one of just 10 women to complete the career Grand Slam, joined the Class of 2025 alongside the famed doubles duo Mike and Bob Bryan. The twins closed their own moments with their trademark chest bump and related stories of a career spent mastering the art of doubles.
The ceremony drew a star-studded audience, including Hall of Famers Martina Navratilova, Jim Courier, Stan Smith and Andy Roddick, all wearing their signature blue Hall of Fame blazers. Sharapova and the Bryan brothers accepted with a cast tennis racket, the hall’s newest honor for inductees. An introductory video described Sharapova as someone who “combined grit with glamour,” and several of her memorable outfits—like a tuxedo-inspired dress she wore at Wimbledon in 2008—are already on display in the hall.
Williams highlighted Sharapova’s influence beyond the court, noting that she was the highest-paid female athlete in the world for 11 straight years, with endorsement earnings outpacing her tournament winnings. “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. Sharapova spoke about using the moment to reflect on a remarkable life shaped by tennis, acknowledging the value of embracing struggle and leaning into hard work. “Compete fiercely. Raise your standard. Set goals that intimidate you,” she advised, emphasizing that the joy of winning comes from celebrating every victory, no matter how small.
The Bryan brothers—who collectively own 119 ATP titles, 16 Grand Slams and an Olympic gold, along with more than 438 weeks atop the rankings—delivered a playful, back-and-forth speech that traced their path from a doubles priority to a global force in the sport. Navratilova credited the brothers with keeping doubles from fading from the sport’s spotlight, praising their ability to transcend their discipline. “Doubles was our love from Day 1,” Mike Bryan said, underscoring the complementary nature of their partnership.
What made the night particularly meaningful was how a fierce rivalry evolved into lasting admiration. The ceremony illustrated how two of tennis’s biggest personalities—Williams and Sharapova—helped redefine what it means to compete, succeed and influence sport beyond the court. The Hall of Fame celebration served as a tribute to the enduring impact of these athletes on tennis and on generations of players who followed.
Summary of key moments:
– Serena Williams introduces Maria Sharapova, praising their rivalry and mutual drive.
– Sharapova inducted as first Russian woman to reach No. 1 and a career Grand Slam winner, Class of 2025.
– Mike and Bob Bryan inducted, delivering a joint, celebratory speech about doubles and teamwork.
– Navratilova and others in attendance, with tributes to doubles and Sharapova’s fashion-forward, competitive legacy.
– Sharapova’s video and display spotlight her grit and glamour, including her fashion moments like the Wimbledon 2008 outfit.
Additional note: The event underscored the power of rivalries to push athletes to excel while highlighting how personal growth, branding, and business acumen can expand the influence of elite athletes beyond the sport itself. A hopeful takeaway is that today’s inductees will continue to inspire future generations of players to pursue excellence on and off the court.