Serena Williams inducts Maria Sharapova into Tennis Hall of Fame 2025

Overview

• Serena Williams came as a special guest to induct Maria Sharapova into the Tennis Hall of Fame class of 2025
• Williams claimed she had her differences with Sharapova when they were rivals, and confirmed that they get along well with each other
• The 23-time Grand Slam Champion said the Russian was one of the few players who challenged her to be the very best

Serena Williams came as a special guest to induct Maria Sharapova into the Tennis Hall of Fame class of 2025. Williams claimed she had her differences with Sharapova when they were rivals, and confirmed that they get along well with each other. The 23-time Grand Slam Champion said the Russian was one of the few players who challenged her to be the very best.

"I know I'm probably the last person you'd be expecting to see tonight. We had our differences. To the world, we looked miles apart, but the truth is we weren't," said Serena in her statement. She confirmed that Maria was the one who requested her to induct her into the Hall of Fame. 

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Along with Maria, the Bryan Brothers, Bob and Mike Bryan, were also inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame of the 2025 class. The Bryan Brothers are regarded as the greatest Men's Doubles players in the history of the sport. On the other hand, Sharapova is one of the few WTA stars to have achieved a career slam.

"Whenever I saw her name next to mine in the draw, I made sure I practiced harder," - Serena Williams on Maria Sharapova

In her statement, Serena added that Sharapova is one of the fewest players who challenged her to be the best. The American added that she made sure to practice extra hard whenever she had to face the Russian in a match.

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"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. Maria Sharapova was one of them. Whenever I saw her name next to mine in the draw, I made sure I practiced harder," Serena added.