Maria Sharapova Shares Why She Felt Nervous Calling Serena Williams Before Hall of Fame Ceremony

Maria Sharapova has revealed she felt nervous before calling Serena Williams ahead of her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2021, citing the weight of their storied rivalry and mutual respect as the reason for her hesitation.

The five-time Grand Slam champion said she wanted to personally inform Williams of her Hall of Fame selection before the public announcement, but delayed the call due to uncertainty about how her former rival would react.

Sharapova made the remarks during a recent interview with the Tennis Channel, where she reflected on the emotional significance of the moment and the complexity of their relationship on and off the court.

“I was nervous to call her,” Sharapova said. “Not because I didn’t want to, but because I cared too much about what she thought. After everything we’d been through, I didn’t want to assume how she’d feel.”

She explained that despite their intense competition—Williams held a 20–2 head-to-head advantage over Sharapova—there was a deep undercurrent of respect that made the conversation meaningful.

“We pushed each other to be better,” Sharapova added. “That kind of rivalry doesn’t come often. When it does, you remember it.”

The call eventually took place, and Sharapova said Williams responded with warmth and congratulations, which she described as “a relief and an honor.”

Sharapova was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame in July 2021, alongside Andy Roddick, in a ceremony held in Newport, Rhode Island. Her induction recognized her five major titles, 36 WTA singles titles, and former world No. 1 ranking.

Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, has not yet been inducted as of 2024, though she remains eligible. Both players have frequently spoken about their rivalry as one of the defining narratives of women’s tennis in the 2000s and 2010s.

In reflecting on the moment, Sharapova emphasized that the call was not about closure, but acknowledgment.

“It wasn’t about putting the past behind us,” she said. “It was about saying, ‘I saw you. I respected you. And this moment wouldn’t mean as much without you in it.’”

The revelation adds a personal dimension to Sharapova’s Hall of Fame journey, highlighting the emotional layers beneath one of tennis’s most celebrated careers.

As both athletes continue to influence the sport beyond competition—through business ventures, advocacy, and mentorship—their exchange serves as a reminder of the human connections forged in rivalry.

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