Serena Williams had an AA surprise at the International Tennis Fame and appeared behind the stage, introducing “former competitors, former fans and forever friends” Maria Sharapova for admission on Saturday night.
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, will qualify herself in 2027, gasping among the crowd at Newport Shrine.
“There are only a few players in my career who challenged me to be the best player, and whenever we stand out on the court,” Williams said. “Maria Sharapova is one of them. Whenever I see her name in the draw, I make sure I practice harder.”
This feeling is mutual.
“It’s a gift to have someone who inspires you to reach these heights. I will always express my best with gratitude,” Sharapova said in her acceptance speech. “There’s nothing we both do but the way we struggle. … We both hate losing anything on Earth, and we both know that the other is the biggest obstacle between ourselves and the trophy.”
Russian women ranked first in the rankings and one of the 10 women completing a professional grand slam, Sharapova participated in the 2025 class and was dominated by tag teams Mike and Bob Bryan. The twin brothers ended the speech with their trademark chest bump.
Hall of Fame members Martina Navratilova, Jim Courier, Stan Smith and Andy Roddick were all in the crowd, wearing blue Hall of Fame blazers. Sharapova and the Bryan Brothers also received a tennis racket for actors, the latest inductee in the hall.
Sharapova is described in her introductory video as “a person who combines gravel with charm”, and some of the fashionable outfits she participated in are already on display in the halls – including a tuxedo-style dress she wore when she won Wimbledon in 2008.
Williams noted that her competitor was the highest-paid female athlete in the world for 11 consecutive years – backed by agency earnings that exceeded her bonus on the court.
“She showed us all about how to do it well on the court and turn it into excellent business, fashion, brand and everything she touched,” Williams said. “She changed not only women not only approaching tennis, but also sports and opportunities. She showed us that you can be fierce on the court and strategically in court and yourself without hesitation throughout the process.”
Sharapova said her induction gave her a chance to look back—things she tried not to do during the game. She attributes her success to “embracing struggle and leaning towards hard things.”
“When the sound inevitably tells you to relax, bypass your edges, and boring your ambitions, I hope you find a way to ignore them,” she said. “Competition is intense. Raise your bar. Set goals that intimidate you. No matter how small, don’t forget to celebrate your victory.
“In the life of giving tennis, tennis has given me a lifetime,” she said. “It’s an extraordinary, extraordinary life. I’m very grateful for it.”
The Brians shared the speech as if they took turns hitting in court, alternated on the microphone as they thanked coaches, friends and Davis Cup teammates for their careers, who won 119 ATP titles, including 16 Grand Slams, including 16 Grand Slams, and Olympic gold medals. They spent a record 438 weeks on the world rankings.
Navratilova won the 2006 mixed doubles title with Bob Bryan in the United States in 2006, praising the brothers for making the doubles subject forgotten.
“Not many athletes outperform their sport,” she said. “It’s amazing to have twins do it.”
Bob Bryan said he was lucky because “for most of my career, I had a player throughout the hall.”
“Twins are our love,” Mike Bryan said. “We love everything about doubles. We love strategy, teamwork, sharing and climax and lows. Just like our personality, our games complement each other.”
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