Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova is set to be inducted into the prestigious International Tennis Hall of Fame as part of 2025’s honour roll.
“I just arrived yesterday and it’s iconic. There is the feeling that you have to walk through these halls and you realize you’re a small part of such a bigger piece. This history of our game and all the athletes that just accomplished what they have is really special,” Sharapova said of her induction.
Alongside doubles legends Bob and Mike Bryan, Sharapova will receive official membership as part of the illustrious group in a formal ceremony to take place in Newport, Rhode Island, on Saturday.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday ahead of the event, Sharapova – who won her maiden major title at Wimbledon as a 17-year-old – further revealed what the induction means to her.
“Quite honestly, I’m not someone who looks back very often, but the magnitude of this occasion has really given me the space and authority to look back and appreciate and put an emphasis on, ‘wow, there was a lot of sacrifices,’ and ‘there was a lot of hard work,’ and boy was it worth it,” she said.
“Now as a mother of a three-year-old, leading businesses and investments, I have a very different perspective and my everyday routine is different, but I still get to carry all the disciplines of my sport and the lessons I learned throughout the years are applied every single day and I’m just so grateful for them.”
