While conceding she was probably the “probably the last person you would expect to see” at the ceremony, Williams expressed her “enormous respect” for Sharapova, adding the Russian “challenged me to be the very best every single time we stepped out on the court”.

Their reconciliation even left Swiatek surprised. But the current world No. 2 was happy to see it, and said that on-court rivalries should not drive a wedge between players.

“I just thought that their relationship was so tense that I’m just shocked that they managed to work through it.

“I guess if you have good intentions, you can work through everything, you know. So for sure I’m happy to see that.

“I think having that appreciation from your biggest rival, it must be a great feeling. So Maria also deserves that, and Serena, she’s great. So they’re both great.

“I was just happy to see them together, because I feel like we all should be kind of united and going towards one goal as players, even though we’re competing against each other, and that’s one of the examples of that.”

Sharapova was also honoured at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday with an official US Open ring.

The Hall of Fame inductee said: “I have had some of the most beautiful moments on this court and some of the most challenging.

“You’ve witnessed me grow up from being a young girl wearing an Audrey Hepburn-inspired night dress to now 19 years later accepting this beautiful ring and this amazing honor.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for making this event so special.”

The dynamic between Williams and Sharapova was long renowned as one of the most fierce between two top tennis players.

Their iconic rivalry was birthed in 2004, when a 17-year-old Sharapova stunned Williams in the Wimbledon final – a defeat the American said was “one of my hardest losses”.

They clashed for the final time at the US Open in 2019, with Sharapova retiring in 2020 aged 32, while Williams bowed out of the sport in 2022 at her home Grand Slam at 40 years old.

Between them, Williams and Sharapova won 28 Grand Slam titles.

Williams took 23 of those, falling just behind Margaret Court’s joint record with Novak Djokovic (24) for most Grand Slam trophies won.

Sharapova won five, completing the career Grand Slam with her stunning Wimbledon triumph, two French Open titles, and major crowns in Australia and the United States.

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