Sharapova: Why Serena Was Only One Who Could Induct Me Into Hall of Fame
By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, April 23, 2026
Photo credit: International Tennis Hall of Fame Facebook
Newport’s grass hosted one of tennis’ top surprises and most poignant reunions last summer.
Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams stunned the world when 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena delivered the introduced rival-turned-friend Maria Sharapova for her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Speaking at the annual TIME100 Summit in New York City yesterday, former world No. 1 Sharapova joined CBS Mornings co-host and Oprah Daily editor-at-large Gayle King on stage for a conversation about the launch of her new podcast and her induction last year into the Hall of Fame.
Reflecting on why she chose fierce rival Serena, who dominated their head-to-head series winning 20 of their 22 meetings, including 19 in a row, Sharapova said there was simply no other choice.
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Sharapova said she personally called Serena to ask her to speak at the Hall of Fame because she shared so many powerful and painful moments with the four-time Olympic gold-medal champion.
“I have had some of the toughest moments and some of the biggest victories on the court here with Serena, and, at the end of the day, we have so much deep respect for each other, and there was no one that I see, other than her, up on stage,” Sharapova told Gayle King.
Though their rivalry featured stare-downs, beat downs and even trading the “B” word on court, ultimately the fiercest of rivals arrived at a place of mutual respect and genuine friendship. A lesson for tennis rivals of all levels.
“Maria and I were once the fiercest of rivals, we had our differences—to the world, we looked miles and miles apart,” said Williams during her speech last summer. “But the truth is, we weren’t. We wanted the exact same thing, at the exact time: to be the very best.
“That’s what made our rivalry so electric, and so iconic.”
On court, a steely Sharapova’s pre-point preparation included pounding her palm against her leg to fire herself up.
These days, the 39-year-old Sharapova said while she doesn’t play much tennis, fitness remains a big part of her life.
Sharapova, who hosts the Pretty Tough podcast, once self-deprecatingly described her movement on clay as like “a cow on ice.”
Moving forward is a big part of the former power baseliner turned successful entrepreneu’s day.
“I find things that keep my body active,” Sharapova told TIME100 Summit in New York City. “Movement is such a big part of my life, but in different forms.
“We knew what our bodies felt like at the top of our careers, right? And it just doesn’t feel quite there. Why not do things that expose our better sides?”
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