Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. Image via: Boston Globe via Getty Images
Maria Sharapova admitted she felt a rare sense of hesitation before reaching out to Serena Williams, who shaped so many defining moments of her career. Speaking recently, Sharapova opened up about the decision that carried both personal weight and quiet emotion.The moment came ahead of her Hall of Fame honor, when she had to choose who would stand beside her on one of the biggest nights of her life. The answer came quickly to her mind. Making the call, however, took a little more thought.
Maria Sharapova reveals why she hesitated calling Serena Williams ahead of Hall of Fame honor
Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams. Image via: Joe Buglewicz/ Getty Images
Maria Sharapova shared that Serena Williams “was the first person that came to mind” when she considered who should introduce her. Their history is shaped by fierce matches and years of shared spotlight.
Still, picking up the phone was not as simple as it sounds.“I had some of the toughest moments and some of the biggest victories on the court with Serena,” Sharapova said (via PEOPLE). “At the end of the day, we have so much deep respect for each other, and there was no one that I wanted to see other than her up on stage.”Despite that certainty, she paused. Not out of doubt about the relationship, but because of the small, human worry that comes with reaching out.
“So I texted her. She calls me right away. We spoke for over an hour. We didn’t even touch upon the Hall of Fame until the last 5 minutes. We talked about our careers, our lives, our children, our businesses,” she shared. “So at the end of it I was like, ‘Oh, by the way, would you induct me into the Tennis Hall of Fame?’ ”The exchange says a lot about where things stand now. Two former rivals, once defined by competition, found themselves catching up like old friends before addressing the reason for the call. Sharapova also admitted she did not want to risk an unanswered call, which is why she reached out by text first. It is a small detail, but it captures the mix of familiarity and hesitation that still existed.When the ceremony arrived, Williams embraced the role fully. “Nobody knew, not even my father, who was sitting right next to me, before she came on stage,” Sharapova said. “I wanted to be a big surprise for everyone, and I felt it in the room.”
Maria Sharapova details her rivalry and friendship with Serena Williams
Their story has never been simple. Sharapova reflected on it with honesty. “I wouldn’t call it a rivalry,” she said. “She kicked my ass many times.” The numbers support that, yet the respect runs deeper than results.“I looked up to [Serena and Venus] so much, and then I found myself across the net from Serena when I was a teenager,” she said. Over time, the distance from the game changed the relationship. “Since we’ve retired, we’ve gotten very close,” Sharapova shared.
That closeness showed on the night that mattered most.“She showed up big time, and she delivered a phenomenal speech,” Sharapova said, adding, “It was really thoughtful that she accepted being there… So yeah, it was a really special moment.”The tennis legends now share a very good bond of friendship.
