Maria Sharapova is continuing her Hall of Fame celebration with a scheduled appearance at the 2025 US Open on Monday, August 25.
Sharapova’s induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday made headlines as she invited her arch rival Serena Williams to present her.
Serena Williams introduces Maria Sharapova to the Tennis Hall of Fame
“I know I’m probably the last person you’d be expecting to see tonight”
“We had our differences. To the world, we looked miles apart, but the truth is we weren’t”
All of this. 🥹
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 23, 2025
There were audible cheers and shrieks as Serena came out. Within a rampid tennis media landscape, this was a well-kept secret.
Listening to Serena Williams induct Maria Sharapova into the international tennis hall of fame is so amazing.
What started as a hard fought rivalry has turned into a good friendship with immense respect.
I’m so glad I started watching women’s tennis in the 2000’s pic.twitter.com/2tjbSajUOU
— Myles David (@TunedIntoTennis) August 23, 2025
Sharapova’s US Open Appearance
Maria Sharapova won the 2006 US Open. At her August 25 appearance, she will wear a replica of the custom-designed Nike dress from her win. She will also be presented a US Open ring.
Arthur Ashe Stadium is always a packed house for night sessions so this will assure that it is fuller than ever.
Maria Sharapova’s ITHF Induction Weekend Was One For The Ages
In addition to Sharapova’s Serena surprise, she made a beautiful speech and was undaunted when the teleprompter stopped working in the midst of it.
She shared how her tennis career created an unbelievable life for her and thanked her father Yuri for his efforts to help her along the way.
The ITHF inductees receive a navy Brooks Brothers blazer that has a custom lining for the player to include sentimental words, drawings, and phrases.
Blazered in greatness!!! @MariaSharapova receives custom hall of fame blazer!! @usopen #HallOfFame pic.twitter.com/bb8guWMGGr
— All About Sports (@sportsreplay) August 23, 2025
For Sharapova, there was a Nike dress, a drawing of each Grand Slam trophy, her 2012 Olympic silver medal, the names of every person who worked with her along her journey and her son’s name.
She also inserted an inspirational Muhammad Ali phrase that typified her career.
That is: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”
Sharapova retired in 2020. She and the Williams sisters were among the pioneers to cultivate lucrative business interests and a personal brand outside of tennis. Her induction comes on the first year of her eligibility.
For those who are wondering, Serena Williams is eligible for a 2027 induction, as is Roger Federer.
