Serena Williams, over the course of her 27-year-long career, built several iconic rivalries. She fought many great battles, but one particular rivalry always took the limelight. It began in 2004 when a 17-year-old beat the legendary American at one of her favorite courts in the world and lifted the Wimbledon title. It was none other than the Russian sensation, Maria Sharapova.

Sharapova, the five-time Grand Slam champion, announced her retirement in 2020. She recently talked about the 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams’ career as she played her final match at the US Open. She also stated that Williams was different from the modern-era tennis player.

Maria Sharapova talked about Serena Williams’ legacy

The former Russian tennis player, Sharapova, was featured in a broadcast during the first U.S. Open women’s semifinal. She discussed Serena’s glorious and tenacious run during her tennis career.

Sharapova said, “It was amazing to see Serena’s run and the glory and the gracious tenacity as she carried through to the end of her career.”

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She also revealed a conversation she had with Serena Williams at the 2021 Met Gala. She stated that she tried to encourage Serena to make a comeback on the court. Serena did not play in the US Open as she was injured at that time. Sharapova told Williams that she was “much better” than the modern era tennis players.

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She said, “I said, ‘no disrespect to this generation, but you are so much better and you need to go out there’, so I’m glad that she had a chance here.”

Sharapova and Williams had some bitter rivalry moments. As a result, many tennis fans were baffled when they saw a photo of Sharapova and the Williams sisters laughing together at the Met Gala event.

Serena’s run at the US Open

The American tennis player, Serena Williams, began her US Open campaign with a win over Montenegrin Danka Kovinić. In the following round, she beat the Estonian tennis player and the current World No.2, Anett Kontaveit. But, despite a solid effort, the 23-time Grand Slam champion was unable to beat Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the US Open. She was defeated by Tomljanovic 7-5, 6-7, 6-1. Serena also played with her sister, Venus, in doubles at the US Open. But the William sisters were knocked out in the opening round.

Serena Williams’ match against Tomljanovic is expected to be her final. Serena was flooded with emotion after her final dance on the tennis court and she also expressed gratitude to the crowd, her family and her friends for their constant support.

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