Maria Sharapova enjoyed a legendary tennis career, setting the bar high for the Russian stars of today to follow.
The talented Russian star shocked the world in 2004 when she won her maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.
Over the next ten years, Sharapova added four further majors to her collection, retiring in 2020 as a five-time champion.
Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/GettyImages
She enjoyed several legendary rivalries throughout her career, although few could compete with her and Serena Williams’ many battles.
Speaking today, a former coach of both Sharapova and Williams has revealed the biggest difference between the two tennis icons during their junior careers.
Rick Macci says Maria Sharapova was ‘mentally so special’ as a junior compared to Serena Williams
Sharing his thoughts as he so often does, Rick Macci took to X to comment on Sharapova’s strongest attribute during her younger years.
Maria at age 11 was mentally so special. Her focus was like she was in a bubble. Serena age 11 would wave at an airplane going by. Remember it is Junior development not junior final destination. It is not where you start it is where you finish. @MariaSharapova @serenawilliams
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) August 13, 2025
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“Maria [Sharapova] at age 11 was mentally so special,” he said.
“Her focus was like she was in a bubble.”
The same could not be said for Williams, however, as Macci reveals the 23-time Grand Slam champion struggled to concentrate when she was 11 years old.
“Serena [Williams], age 11, would wave at an airplane going by,” he said.
Macci was, however, keen to remind fans that juniors develop at different stages.
“Remember it is Junior development, not junior final destination,” he said.
“It is not where you start, it is where you finish.”
07 Mar 2002 : Maria Sharapova (RUS) during her match against Monica Seles (USA) at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California. Seles defeats Sharapova 6-0, 6-2. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/Getty Images
While Sharapova may have shown more mental strength during her junior career than Williams, it was the American who enjoyed the better career on the WTA Tour.
Serena Williams – 23 Grand SlamsMaria Sharapova – 5 Grand Slams
Interestingly, their head-to-head record mirrored their development, as Sharapova started strongly, but couldn’t keep up with Williams as the years went by.
Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova’s head-to-head record
After losing their first career meeting at the 2004 Miami Open, Sharapova famously beat Williams in the Wimbledon final later that same year.
Securing her second-straight win over Williams, Sharapova defeated her rival in the final of the WTA Finals in Turkey, finishing her breakout year on a high note.
Remarkably, that was her last win over the legendary American, as Sharapova proceeded to lose 19 consecutive matches against Williams.
MatchWinnerLoserScore2019 US Open – 1RSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-1, 6-12016 Australian Open – QFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-4, 6-12015 Wimbledon – SFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-2, 6-42015 Australian Open – FSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-3, 7-62014 Miami Open – SFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-4, 6-32014 Brisbane – SFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-2, 7-62013 French Open – FSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-4, 6-42013 Madrid Open – FSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-1, 6-42013 Miami Open – FSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova4-6, 6-3, 6-02013 Qatar Open – SFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-3, 6-22012 WTA Finals – FSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-4, 6-32012 Olympics – FSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-0, 6-12012 Madrid Open – QFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-1, 6-32011 Stanford – QFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-1, 6-32010 Wimbledon – 4RSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova7-6, 6-42008 Charleston – QFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova7-5, 4-6, 6-12007 Miami Open – 4RSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-1, 6-12007 Australian Open – FSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-1, 6-22005 Australian Open – SFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova2-6, 7-5, 8-62004 WTA Finals – FMaria SharapovaSerena Williams4-6, 6-2, 6-42004 Wimbledon – FMaria SharapovaSerena Williams6-1, 6-42004 Miami Open – 4RSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-4, 6-3Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams’ head-to-head record
In just three of those matches did Sharapova manage to take a set off Williams, as the Russian couldn’t work out a way to beat the biggest star in the women’s game.
Their final match perfectly summed up their rivalry, as Sharapova won just two games in a straight-sets defeat to Williams at the 2019 US Open.
Photo credit should read KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images
What once promised to be a rivalry for the ages finished with an all too familiar beatdown on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sharapova never quite reached the heights of Williams during her career, but in fairness, neither did anyone else.
A haul of five Grand Slams and a 21-week stint atop the world rankings was still more than enough for Sharapova to earn herself a place among the greats of the women’s game.