Maria Sharapova, Bryan Brothers Enter Tennis Hall Fame/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Maria Sharapova and twin brothers Bob and Mike Bryan will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. Sharapova, a career Grand Slam winner and global icon, reflected on her career achievements. The Bryan brothers, record-setting doubles champions, celebrated their legacy as part of tennis history.
Tennis Hall of Fame Induction: Quick Looks
- Inductees: Maria Sharapova, Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan
- Sharapova’s Career: 5-time Grand Slam champion, 2012 Olympic silver medalist
- Bryan Brothers’ Legacy: 16 men’s doubles majors, Olympic gold in 2012
- Sharapova’s Rise: Won Wimbledon at 17, beating Serena Williams in 2004 final
- Endorsement Icon: Earned millions in sponsorships beyond prize money
- Career Obstacles: Shoulder surgeries, 15-month doping suspension in 2016
- Russian Firsts: First Russian woman ranked No. 1 in WTA singles
- Bryans’ Records: 438 weeks ranked No. 1 doubles pair
- Team Success: Helped U.S. win Davis Cup in 2007
- Ceremony: Newport, Rhode Island; speeches prepared by Sharapova, Bryans debating format
Deep Look: Sharapova and Bryan Brothers Inducted Into International Tennis Hall of Fame
NEWPORT, R.I. — Tennis history is getting three iconic new members. On Saturday, Maria Sharapova and the Bryan brothers — Bob and Mike — will be formally enshrined into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, cementing their places among the sport’s greatest competitors.
Sharapova Reflects on Career of Triumph and Turmoil
Maria Sharapova admitted she is not one to dwell on past achievements. But standing in Newport on the eve of her induction, the five-time Grand Slam champion reflected on the sacrifices that defined her career.
“Wow, there was a lot of sacrifice. There was a lot of hard work,” Sharapova said. “And, boy, was it worth it.”
Sharapova first stunned the tennis world in 2004 when, at age 17, she defeated Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final. The victory catapulted her into superstardom. Over the next decade, she captured the U.S. Open in 2006, the Australian Open in 2008, and two French Open titles in 2012 and 2014, becoming one of just 10 women to complete a career Grand Slam.
She also made history as the first Russian woman to reach the No. 1 spot in the WTA singles rankings. Her international résumé included helping Russia secure the Billie Jean King Cup (then known as the Fed Cup) in 2008 and winning a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
Beyond the court, Sharapova became a global celebrity. She earned more through endorsements and modeling than prize money, appearing in advertising campaigns, fashion shoots, and even sharing the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition with supermodels.
Yet her career was not without setbacks. Recurrent shoulder injuries required multiple surgeries, and in 2016 she served a 15-month suspension after testing positive for meldonium, a newly banned substance. The Court of Arbitration for Sport later ruled that she bore “less than significant fault,” and emphasized she was not an intentional doper.
Sharapova retired in 2020 at age 32. Returning to the Hall for her induction tour, she admitted to feeling “like a giddy teenager” as she prepared to walk through the museum’s historic halls.
“You realize you’re a small part of a bigger piece — the history of our game,” she said.
The Bryan Brothers: Doubles Legends
Bob and Mike Bryan, identical twins whose names became synonymous with doubles excellence, join Sharapova in the Hall of Fame class. Together, the Bryans won a record 16 Grand Slam men’s doubles titles and held the world No. 1 doubles ranking for 438 weeks.
Their career highlights also include capturing Olympic gold at the London Games in 2012 and leading the U.S. to victory in the 2007 Davis Cup, America’s last title in the prestigious team event.
While competing together for nearly two decades, Mike also holds the record for most men’s doubles major titles overall with 18, winning two additional Grand Slams with Jack Sock while Bob recovered from injury in 2018.
Walking through the Hall and seeing their Olympic jersey on display was humbling, Bob Bryan said. “Just seeing all the people we idolized, their relics, and then our shirt — it’s incredible.”
Patrick McEnroe, who captained the U.S. Davis Cup-winning team in 2007, noted how much representing their country meant to the Bryan brothers.
“That Davis Cup and the Olympics were very important to them,” he said.
Ceremony Anticipation
The induction ceremony will be held in Newport, Rhode Island, where the Hall of Fame has stood as tennis’ sacred archive. Sharapova said her speech was about 80% complete, while the Bryans debated whether to deliver one joint address or two separate speeches.
“I think I’m going to wing it,” Bob Bryan joked.
Lasting Legacy
Between them, Sharapova and the Bryan brothers defined an era of tennis that blended athletic dominance, global stardom, and an enduring passion for representing their countries.
Their induction underscores not only their personal milestones but also tennis’ continued evolution into a sport where doubles specialists, national champions, and international icons are honored side by side.
As Sharapova put it, “You walk through those halls and realize you’re part of something much bigger than yourself.”
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