Maria Sharapova, the first Russian woman to reach world No. 1, was officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, joining legendary doubles duo Bob and Mike Bryan as part of the Class of 2025.
The ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island, featured a surprise guest—Serena Williams. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, eligible for her own induction in 2027, stepped out from behind the stage to introduce Sharapova. Williams called her a “former rival, former fan, and forever friend,” drawing cheers and gasps from the audience.
“There were only a handful of players who pushed me to give my absolute best every time we met on court,” Williams said. “Maria was one of them. Whenever I saw her name in the draw, I trained harder.”
Sharapova, visibly moved, returned the sentiment: “It’s a gift to have a competitor who motivates you to aim higher. Serena always brought out the best in me. We both hated losing, and we knew each other was often the biggest obstacle to lifting the trophy.”
A career Grand Slam winner, Sharapova was celebrated in a tribute video that described her as a blend of “grit and glamour.” Some of her iconic outfits, including her tuxedo-inspired Wimbledon 2008 dress, are already displayed in the Hall. Williams also praised Sharapova’s influence beyond the court, noting that she was the world’s highest-paid female athlete for 11 consecutive years and a trailblazer in business, fashion, and branding.
Sharapova reflected on her journey, encouraging others to embrace challenges: “When voices tell you to ease up, ignore them. Compete fiercely, raise your standards, and celebrate your victories. In giving my life to tennis, tennis gave me a remarkable life.”
The Bryan brothers, winners of 119 titles including 16 Grand Slams and an Olympic gold medal, entertained the crowd with a joint speech, switching at the microphone as if playing a doubles rally. They spoke of their passion for teamwork and strategy, ending with their signature chest bump.
Fellow Hall of Famers, including Martina Navratilova, Jim Courier, Stan Smith, and Andy Roddick, were in attendance. Navratilova praised the Bryans for keeping doubles in the spotlight, while Bob Bryan reflected, “I was lucky—most of my career I had the world No. 1 just across the hall.” Mike added, “From day one, doubles was our love. We thrived on the strategy, the camaraderie, and the way our personalities and games fit together.”
Sharapova and the Bryan brothers were each presented with a cast tennis racket, a new tradition for inductees.
