Serena Williams made a surprise appearance at the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday night, emerging from behind the stage to introduce Maria Sharapova for her induction. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who will not be eligible for the Hall of Fame until 2027, drew gasps and shrieks from the crowd in Newport, Rhode Island, on the eve of the US Open.
Williams and Sharapova, who met in four Grand Slam finals and battled for Olympic gold in London, had a famously strained relationship. In a 2013 Rolling Stone profile, Williams branded Sharapova 'boring' and said she was 'with the guy with a black heart', a reference to Sharapova's then-boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov. Williams later apologised, and Sharapova hit back in her autobiography, writing: 'I think Serena hated me for being the skinny kid who beat her, against all odds, at Wimbledon.'
On Saturday, however, Williams heaped praise on her 'former rival, former fan and forever friend'. '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, who won five Grand Slam singles titles before retiring in 2020 and served a ban for testing positive for meldonium, said it 'meant the world' that Williams showed up. 'It's a gift to have someone who motivates you to reach those heights. And I'll forever be grateful for bringing out the best in me,' Sharapova said in her acceptance speech.
Williams also praised Sharapova's business acumen, noting she was the highest-paid female athlete for 11 straight years. 'She showed us all how to take excellence on the court and turn it into excellence in business, and fashion, branding and everything that she touched,' Williams said. On Sunday, Williams posted on Instagram: 'I’m probably the last person you expected to see standing here tonight. ... This is women supporting each other and respecting each other's greatness.'
