Maria Sharapova and Bryan Brothers go into tennis hall, with surprise
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP)– Serena Williams made a surprise– and early– look at the International Tennis Hall of Popularity, emerging from behind the phase to present “previous competitor, previous fan and forever pal” Maria Sharapova for her induction on Saturday night.Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champ who will be eligible for her own enshrinement in 2027, drew gasps and shrieks from the crowd at the Newport shrine.Advertisement “There are just a few players in my
profession who challenged me to be the very best, each and every single time we stepped out on the court,” Williams stated.” Maria Sharapova was among them. Whenever I saw her name next to mine in the draw, I ensured I practiced harder. “And the sensation was shared.”It’s a present to have someone who encourages you to
reach those heights.
And I’ll forever be grateful for drawing out the very best in me,”Sharapova stated in her approval speech.” We both knew no other way than to eliminate our hearts out. … We both hated to lose more than anything on this earth, and we both knew that the other was the biggest challenge in between ourselves and the prize.”The first Russian woman ever to reach No. 1 in the rankings and among 10 women to complete the career Grand Slam, Sharapova was
participated in the Class of 2025 by dominating doubles group Mike and Bob Bryan. The twin siblings finished their speech with one of their hallmark chest bumps.Advertisement Hall of Famers Martina Navratilova, Jim Carrier, Stan Smith and Andy Roddick were among those in the crowd, using their blue Hall of Fame blazers.
Sharapova and the Bryan bros likewise received a cast tennis racket that is the hall’s newest offering to inductees.Sharapova was described in her introductory video as somebody who” combined grit with glamour,” and some of the stylish attire she competed in are already shown in the hall– consisting of a tuxedo-inspired dress she
used when she won Wimbledon in 2008. Williams kept in mind that her rival was the highest-paid female professional athlete worldwide for 11 straight years– strengthened by endorsement earnings that exceeded her on-court winnings.”She revealed all of us how to take quality on the court and turn it into excellence in business, and fashion, branding and everything that she touched,” Williams said. “She altered how ladies not just approached tennis, but sports and chance. She showed us that you can be intense on the court and strategic off the court, and unapologetically herself the entire time.” Ad Sharapova said her induction offered her a possibility to look back– something she tried not to do when she was playing. And she credited her success to “accepting the battles and leaning into the difficult things. “”When voices undoubtedly tell you to relieve up, to round your edges, dull your ambition, I hope you can
find a method to neglect them,”she stated.”Complete fiercely. Raise your requirement. Set objectives that frighten you. And don’t forget to celebrate your success, no matter how small. “In offering my life to tennis, tennis offered me a life,”
she stated.”And what an exceptional, amazing life. And I’m so deeply grateful for it.”The Bryans shared a speech as if they were taking turns hitting on a court, rotating at the microphone as they thanked coaches, good friends and Davis Cup colleagues from a profession in which they won 119 ATP titles, including 16 Grand Slams, and an Olympic gold medal. They invested a record 438 weeks atop the world rankings.Advertisement Navratilova, who won the 2006 U.S. Open blended doubles title with Bob Bryan, credited the bros for keeping the doubles disciplines from being forgotten.”Few athletes transcend their sport,” she said.” For twins to do it is remarkable.”Bob Bryan stated he was fortunate because” for the majority of my career, I had the No. 1 player in the world across the hall.”” Doubles was our love from Day 1,”Mike Bryan stated.”We loved whatever about doubles. We loved the strategy, the team effort, sharing, and the highs and lows. Like our personalities, our games complemented each other completely.”___ AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis