The former world no.1 Maria Sharapova was selected for the International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on Thursday. The veteran Russian and the legendary men’s doubles pair Mike and Bob Bryson will be inducted into the prestigious order in August next year.
The 37-year-old Russian is among only 10 women legends to win all four majors and was tipped favourites to enter the Hall of Fame order in 2025. Sharapova retired from professional tennis in 2020 with 36 career singles titles, including 5 Grand Slams. She also bagged a silver medal in the 2012 London Olympics and was ranked the world no.1 in the WTA standings for 21 weeks.
“Beyond each of their historic accomplishments on the court, the Class of 2025 have had such a profound impact on the game of tennis and have inspired multiple generations of fans across the world,” Kim Clijsters, the Hall’s president said. “We look forward to celebrating them in Newport next year.”
Sharapova made her professional debut in 2021 and won her first major at Wimbledon 2024 at the age of just 17. She defeated the then world no.1 Serena Williams in the final to become the third-youngest player to win the Wimbledon singles title.
She won the US Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008 to become the world no.1 at the age of 18. She became the 10th women’s tennis player to achieve a historic Career Grand Slam after winning the 2012 French Open. Notably, no other women player has managed to complete a Career Grand Slam after Sharapova.
Sharapova’s last major came at the 2014 Roland-Garros where she defeated Simona Halep in a thrilling final. The USA-settled athlete retired from tennis after her shock first-round defeat in the Australian Open 2020.
Bryan brothers, twin aged 46, have dominated the men’s doubles like no other. Both held the world no.1 rankings in the doubles for over nine years with Mike winning the record 18 Grand Slam titles and Bob claiming a total of 23 majors, including 7 in mixed doubles.