Sharapova Inducted Into Hall of Fame With Surprise Speech by Serena Williams

‘There are only a few players in my career who challenged me to be the very best,’ said Williams. ‘Maria Sharapova was one of them.’

Russia's Maria Sharapova in action against Australia's Ashleigh Barty at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Jan. 20, 2019. Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

A longtime tennis feud was put to bed when Serena Williams inducted her former rival Maria Sharapova into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Sharapova, 38, was inducted on Aug. 24, and to the surprise of many, received a ceremonial introduction from the 23-time Grand Slam champ the night prior in Newport, Rhode Island.