"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. And the feeling was mutual. 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,"
"We both knew no other way than to fight our hearts out. ... We both hated to lose more than anything on this earth, and we both knew that the other was the biggest obstacle between ourselves and the trophy."
"Sharapova was described in her introductory video as someone who combined grit with glamour, and some of the stylish outfits she competed in are already displayed in the hall including a tuxedo-inspired dress she wore when she won Wimbledon in 2008."
Serena Williams made a surprise early appearance at the International Tennis Hall of Fame to introduce Maria Sharapova for her induction. Williams drew gasps and shrieks from the crowd and credited Sharapova as one of the few players who pushed her to be the very best, saying Sharapova's name in the draw motivated her to practice harder. Sharapova praised the mutual drive and competitiveness they shared, noting they both hated to lose and were each other's biggest obstacle to trophies. Sharapova joined the Class of 2025 with Mike and Bob Bryan; several Hall of Famers attended and inductees received a cast tennis racket. Some of Sharapova's competitive outfits, including her 2008 Wimbledon tuxedo-inspired dress, are displayed in the hall.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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