NEWPORT, R.I. — Maria Sharapova was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday night, with a surprise appearance by Serena Williams to introduce her. Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, emerged from behind the stage, drawing gasps from the audience. She referred to Sharapova as her “former rival, former fan and forever friend.”

“There are only a few players in my career who challenged me to be the very best, every single time we stepped out on the court,” Williams said. “Maria Sharapova was one of them. Whenever I saw her name next to mine in the draw, I made sure I practiced harder.”

Sharapova, the first Russian woman to reach No. 1 in the world rankings and one of only ten women to achieve a career Grand Slam, expressed her gratitude in her acceptance speech. “It’s a gift to have someone who motivates you to reach those heights. And I’ll forever be grateful for bringing out the best in me,” she said.

The Class of 2025 also included the Bryan brothers, Mike and Bob, who are known for their dominance in doubles. The twins concluded their speech with a signature chest bump.

Among the attendees were Hall of Famers Martina Navratilova, Jim Courier, Stan Smith, and Andy Roddick, all wearing their blue Hall of Fame blazers. Sharapova and the Bryan brothers received a cast tennis racket, the hall’s latest offering to inductees.

In her introductory video, Sharapova was described as someone who “combined grit with glamour.” Some of her iconic outfits, including a tuxedo-inspired dress from her 2008 Wimbledon victory, are now on display in the hall.

Williams highlighted Sharapova's impact on women's sports, noting that she was the highest-paid female athlete for 11 consecutive years, thanks to endorsement deals that exceeded her on-court earnings. “She showed us all how to take excellence on the court and turn it into excellence in business, fashion, branding, and everything that she touched,” Williams said.

Sharapova reflected on her career, stating that her induction allowed her to look back, something she avoided during her playing days. She credited her success to embracing challenges. “When voices inevitably tell you to ease up, to round your edges, dull your ambition, I hope you can find a way to ignore them,” she advised.

The Bryan brothers shared their speech in a playful manner, alternating at the microphone as they thanked coaches, friends, and Davis Cup teammates. They have won 119 ATP titles, including 16 Grand Slams and an Olympic gold medal, and spent a record 438 weeks as the top-ranked doubles team.

Navratilova praised the Bryans for their contributions to the sport, stating, “Not too many athletes transcend their sport. For twins to do it is amazing.”

Bob Bryan expressed his gratitude for having the top player in the world as his partner. “For most of my career, I had the No. 1 player in the world across the hall,” he said. Mike Bryan added, “Doubles was our love from Day 1. We loved everything about doubles. We loved the strategy, the teamwork, sharing, and the highs and lows.”