**Maria Sharapova Enters the International Tennis Hall of Fame; Serena Williams Makes a Surprise Visit**

Newport, R.I., August 24, 2025 - On Saturday night, Maria Sharapova, once the World No. 1, joined the International Tennis Hall of Fame. This marks the end of her remarkable 19-year career. During that time, she earned a 645–171 record and claimed five Grand Slam singles titles. The ceremony was at the Tennis Hall of Fame Museum in Newport, Rhode Island. It featured a surprise guest: long-time rival Serena Williams. Fans went wild on social media when she showed up unexpectedly.

Williams, a 23-time major champion and one of Sharapova’s toughest rivals, praised Sharapova’s drive and her influence on women’s tennis. ““In 2004, when Maria was just 17, she stunned the world and won Wimbledon. “It wasn’t just a loss for me; it launched her career,” Williams joked, getting laughs and applause by poking fun at Sharapova’s famous on-court grunting. Sharapova, clearly blushing, pointed at Williams with a smile. They then shared a warm hug.

Sharapova is one of just ten women in tennis history to achieve a career Grand Slam in singles. She won major titles at: - Wimbledon (2004) - US Open (2006) - Australian Open (2008) - Roland-Garros (2012, 2014) She first ascended to World No. 1 in 2005-the first Russian woman to do so-and held the top ranking on five occasions over her career span. Sharapova, known for her Grand Slam wins, was also vital to Russia’s 2008 Fed Cup team. In 2012, she earned a silver medal at the London Olympics.

The ceremony also honored legendary doubles duo Bob and Mike Bryan, who set the all-time record for ATP doubles titles with 119 trophies and 438 weeks at No. 1 as a team. Together, Sharapova and the Bryans join 270 tennis greats enshrined in the Hall of Fame’s class of 2025.

In her acceptance speech, Sharapova talked about resilience and the “unseen hard work” behind each win. She urged everyone to “embrace the struggles and lean into the hard stuff.” Trust your instinct, and rely on that resilience. I promise you, you’ll surprise yourself”. The induction ceremony celebrated Sharapova’s on-court wins and her business and charity work. It showcased her journey from a teenage star to a global icon.

The Newport community came together with former champions, family, and fans from around the world. They enjoyed an evening that mixed rivalry and friendship. It highlighted the lasting connections built through competition. Sharapova’s induction marks the peak of her amazing career. It also shows how sport can bring together even the toughest rivals.