Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams are no longer rivals \u2014 they\u2019re friends.<\/p>\n
While being interviewed by Gayle King at the Time100 Summit in New York City on Wednesday, Sharapova confirmed that the pair put an end to their longstanding feud <\/a>last year when Williams inducted Sharapova into the International Tennis Hall of Fame<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t call it a rivalry,\u201d Sharapova, who retired from the sport in 2020, told King. \u201cShe kicked my ass many times.\u201d<\/p>\n Maria Sharapova spoke about her relationship with ex-tennis rival Serena Williams at the 2026 Time100 Summit in New York City on Wednesday. Getty Images for TIME<\/p>\n Sharapova (seen above with Williams at the 2004 Wimbledon Championship) said that the pair ended their feud before Williams inducted her into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2025. Getty Images<\/p>\n Their rivalry started when 17-year-old Sharapova infamously upset 22-year-old Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final. Williams went on to beat Sharapova in 19 of their subsequent 21 matchups. <\/p>\n Despite their competitive history, Sharapova said that Williams, 44, \u201cwas the first person that came to mind\u201d to induct her into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve had some of my toughest moments and some of my biggest victories on the court with her,\u201d Sharapova shared.<\/p>\n Sharapova (pictured above with Gayle King) said Williams \u201cwas the first person that came to mind\u201d to induct her. Getty Images for TIME<\/p>\n The Russian tennis legend said that the pair spoke on the phone for an hour about their careers and their personal lives. Getty Images for TIME<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end of the day, we have so much deep respect for each other,\u201d the Russian athlete continued. \u201cThere was no one that I wanted to see other than her on stage and I had to make that phone call.\u201d<\/p>\n Sharapova revealed that she personally reached out to Williams, joking, \u201cSince we retired, we got very close.\u201d<\/p>\n After Sharapova sent Williams a text, Williams called her and they spoke on the phone \u201cfor over an hour\u201d about their careers and their personal lives, including their children.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then at the end, I was like, \u2018Oh by the way, would you induct me into the Tennis Hall of Fame?’\u201d Sharapova recalled.<\/p>\n Sharapova (seen above with Williams at the 2025 International Tennis Hall of Fame induction ceremony) said that at the end of the phone call, she asked Williams to induct her. Boston Globe via Getty Images<\/p>\n Sharapova (seen hugging Williams at the event) said that Williams \u201ccame prepared like a true athlete.\u201d Getty Images for International Tennis Hall of Fame<\/p>\n