Maria Sharapova reveals where she stands with Serena Williams after longstanding rivalry

Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams are nary longer rivals — they’re friends.

While being interviewed by Gayle King astatine nan Time100 Summit successful New York City connected Wednesday, Sharapova confirmed that nan brace put an extremity to their longstanding feud last twelvemonth erstwhile Williams inducted Sharapova into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

“I wouldn’t telephone it a rivalry,” Sharapova, who retired from nan athletics successful 2020, told King. “She kicked my ass galore times.”

Their rivalry started erstwhile 17-year-old Sharapova infamously upset 22-year-old Williams successful nan 2004 Wimbledon final. Williams went connected to hit Sharapova successful 19 of their consequent 21 matchups.

Despite their competitory history, Sharapova said that Williams, 44, “was nan first personification that came to mind” to induct her into nan International Tennis Hall of Fame.

“I’ve had immoderate of my toughest moments and immoderate of my biggest victories connected nan tribunal pinch her,” Sharapova shared.

“At nan extremity of nan day, we person truthful overmuch heavy respect for each other,” nan Russian jock continued. “There was nary 1 that I wanted to spot different than her connected shape and I had to make that telephone call.”

Sharapova revealed that she personally reached retired to Williams, joking, “Since we retired, we sewage very close.”

After Sharapova sent Williams a text, Williams called her and they said connected nan telephone “for complete an hour” astir their careers and their individual lives, including their children.

“And past astatine nan end, I was like, ‘Oh by nan way, would you induct maine into nan Tennis Hall of Fame?'” Sharapova recalled.

Sharapova said that for nan International Tennis Hall of Fame past August, Williams — who retired aft nan 2022 US Open — “came prepared for illustration a existent athlete.”

“And cipher knew,” Sharapova added of of Williams’ engagement successful nan ceremony. “Not moreover my begetter who was sitting correct adjacent to maine erstwhile she came connected stage..”

Sharapova added, “I wanted it to beryllium a large astonishment for everyone. And I felt it successful nan room.”

Two days aft nan ceremony, Sharapova told People that she was thankful Williams “showed up large clip and delivered a phenomenal speech.”

“It was really thoughtful that she accepted being there,” Sharapova continued. “I deliberation she besides realized really impactful it would’ve been.

“So yeah, it was a really typical moment,” she added.