Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams are no longer rivals — they’re friends.
While being interviewed by Gayle King at the Time100 Summit in New York City on Wednesday, Sharapova confirmed that the pair put an end to their longstanding feud last year when Williams inducted Sharapova into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
“I wouldn’t call it a rivalry,” Sharapova, who retired from the sport in 2020, told King. “She kicked my ass many times.”
Their rivalry started when 17-year-old Sharapova infamously upset 22-year-old Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final. Williams went on to beat Sharapova in 19 of their subsequent 21 matchups.
Despite their competitive history, Sharapova said that Williams, 44, “was the first person that came to mind” to induct her into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
“I’ve had some of my toughest moments and some of my biggest victories on the court with her,” Sharapova shared.
“At the end of the day, we have so much deep respect for each other,” the Russian athlete continued. “There was no one that I wanted to see other than her on stage and I had to make that phone call.”
Sharapova revealed that she personally reached out to Williams, joking, “Since we retired, we got very close.”
After Sharapova sent Williams a text, Williams called her and they spoke on the phone “for over an hour” about their careers and their personal lives, including their children.
“And then at the end, I was like, ‘Oh by the way, would you induct me into the Tennis Hall of Fame?’” Sharapova recalled.
Sharapova said that for the International Tennis Hall of Fame last August, Williams — who retired after the 2022 US Open — “came prepared like a true athlete.”
“And nobody knew,” Sharapova added of of Williams’ involvement in the ceremony. “Not even my father who was sitting right next to me when she came on stage..”
Sharapova added, “I wanted it to be a big surprise for everyone. And I felt it in the room.”
Two days after the ceremony, Sharapova told People that she was thankful Williams “showed up big time and delivered a phenomenal speech.”
“It was really thoughtful that she accepted being there,” Sharapova continued. “I think she also realized how impactful it would’ve been.
“So yeah, it was a really special moment,” she added.
