Maria Sharapova encouraged Serena Williams to compete one last time and retire on her own terms, after meeting each other during Williams’ recovery from leg injury she sustained at Wimbledon 2021. Williams later competed only four events before calling it quits at US Open this year – something Sharapova called incredible and grandiloquent as her final career event approached, per Erik Gudris of ESPN. “It was incredible witnessing Serena’s triumph and glory graceful tenacity as she closed out her career,” Sharapova noted of Williams in response on ESPN (Erik Gudris).
Sharapova: I told Williams she’s better than this generation
“Last year at this time of year we discussed it at the net and I mentioned to her how much better they are compared to their predecessors and they should go out there and fight harder, so it makes me happy that she got a chance here,” Sharapova remarked.
Williams made waves during her final tournament. At the US Open, she beat Danka Kovinic in straight sets before defeating Anett Kontaveit also in straight sets before succumbing to Ajla Tomljanovic in three sets in the third round despite her best efforts. Former rival Maria Sharapova recently announced her retirement having won only two out of 20 contests against Williams. Michael Joyce spoke openly about their bitter rivalry.
Sharapova leads Williams in head-to-head play from 2004. However, since 2005 she has lost 19 times against Williams. Michael Joyce, Sharapova’s former mentor noted in February how Sharapova most likely respected Williams the most out of all players she faced; although she never said so publicly herself; Maria probably always thought she had an equal shot no matter who was competing against her.
Joyce noted in an interview with Tennis Channel’s podcast earlier this year that Maria held great respect for Serena amongst all of her peers. Joyce speculated further by noting how Maria always felt she stood a chance against any opponent she faced – something Joyce is herself well aware of as evidenced by Maria’s success against Serena at times!