Serena Williams surprised her "former rival" Maria Sharapova on Saturday, August 23 to induct her into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The two Grand Slam winners competed fiercely throughout their careers . Their rivalry began in 2004 when Maria, who was just 17 at the time, defeated Serena in the finals of Wimbledon . Two decades later, the athletes are friends. But that doesn't overlook their "intense rivalry."

Both Serena, 43, and Maria, 38, started their tennis journeys when they were just kids. Serena turned professional in October 1995 when she was 14 years old. Just four years later, she won her first Grand Slam title at the 1999 U.S. Open .

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Serena Williams makes surprise appearance to address 'former rival' Maria Sharapova

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