Maria Sharapova Serena Williams feud: how a text message ended their 20-year rivalry

One of the biggest feuds in tennis lasted 15 years on the court, and another six years after they hung up their rackets.

But that eventually came to an end when former Russian tennis was great Maria Sharapova sent a text message to Serena Williams to ask a favor.

Now, Sharapova has revealed the moment they put their differences aside during an interview with Gayle King at the Time100 Summit in New York.

Their rivalry was among the biggest in women’s tennis, beginning in 2004 when the then 17-year-old Sharapova pulled off one of tennis’ biggest upsets, taking the 2004 Wimbledon women’s final from Williams.

They battled each other for the next 15 years, facing each other on court 22 times, with Wiliams coming out on top in all but two matches, before their final on-court meeting at the 2019 US Open.

The following year, Sharapova retired from the sport at the age of 32. Two years later it was Williams who hung up her racket at the age of 40.

Fast forward to 2025, when Sharapova was told she would be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. When it came time to consider who would bestow the honor, she told King that Williams was “the first person that came to mind.”

READ MORE: Australian mother who left baby alone in hotel room hits back

READ MORE: Football coach breaks silence on hotel photo scandal

READ MORE: The AFL star’s wife shares a tearful update on her battle against breast cancer

“There was no one I wanted to see other than her on stage and I had to make that call,” Sharapova told King.

But instead of calling, she decided to send a text message to her former enemy. Afterwards, Williams called her and they talked on the phone for “more than an hour” about their careers, their personal lives and even their children.

“And at the end I was like, ‘Oh, by the way, will you induct me into the Tennis Hall of Fame?’” Sharapova said.

She agreed, but Sharapova wanted to keep it a secret.

When it came time for the induction ceremony last August, “nobody” knew about Williams’ involvement.

“Not even my dad, who was sitting next to me when she came on stage,” she said.

“I wanted it to be a big surprise for everyone. And I felt it in the room.”

For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.

As for their famous beef, Sharapova said: “I wouldn’t call it a rivalry. She kicked me a lot of times.

“I’ve had some of my toughest moments and some of my biggest victories on the court with her.”

“[But] At the end of the day, we have so much deep respect for each other.”

Sharapova revealed that the two were on much friendlier terms.

“We’ve gotten really close since we retired.”

FOLLOW US HERE ON WHATSAPP: Stay updated with the latest celebrity news, lifestyle and opinions through our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and no one can see your private data.