The International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, witnessed a memorable induction ceremony on Saturday, August 23, 2025, as Maria Sharapova and the Bryan Brothers, Bob and Mike, were enshrined into tennis history. The night was made even more special by a surprise appearance from Serena Williams, who emerged from behind the stage to introduce Sharapova, her "former rival, former fan, and forever friend".
Williams' unexpected appearance drew gasps and shrieks from the crowd. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who will be eligible for her own Hall of Fame enshrinement in 2027, spoke of Sharapova's influence on her career. "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 complete a career Grand Slam, expressed her gratitude to Williams 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," Sharapova said. "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 reflected on her career, acknowledging the sacrifices and hard work that led to her success. "Wow, there was a lot of sacrifice. There was a lot of hard work," she said. "And, boy, was it worth it". An introductory video described Sharapova as someone who "combined grit with glamour," and showcased some of her stylish outfits, including the tuxedo-inspired dress she wore when she won Wimbledon in 2008, which are already on display in the Hall of Fame.
The Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, joined Sharapova in the Class of 2025. The twin brothers, considered one of the most dominant doubles teams in history, shared a speech, alternating at the microphone as if they were taking turns hitting on the court. They thanked their coaches, friends, and Davis Cup teammates, reminiscing about their record-breaking career, which included 119 ATP titles, 16 Grand Slam titles, and an Olympic gold medal. They also spent a record 438 weeks atop the world rankings. The brothers concluded their speech with their signature chest bump.
Bob Bryan noted his good fortune, stating, "for most of my career, I had the No. 1 player in the world across the hall". 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. Like our personalities, our games complemented each other perfectly".
Hall of Famers Martina Navratilova, Jim Courier, Stan Smith, and Andy Roddick were also present, donning their blue Hall of Fame blazers. Sharapova and the Bryan brothers each received a cast tennis racket, the Hall of Fame's newest offering to inductees.
The day before the ceremony, Sharapova toured the remodeled Hall of Fame and expressed her excitement about reconnecting with people who had been important in her career. "There's the feeling that you have to walk through those halls," she said. "You realize you're a small part of such a bigger piece, the history of our game and all the athletes that just accomplished what they have".
The induction ceremony, which took place at the Horseshoe Court of the ITHF, was followed by a concert by Fitz and the Tantrums. A Celebrity Pro Classic was held the previous day as part of the Fame Fest & Food Truck Festival, featuring television stars and Hall of Famers playing mixed doubles. Special guest appearances were also made on the concert stage by Sharapova, Chris Evert, Tracy Austin, and other tennis luminaries.
