Aryna Sabalenka was touched by the Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova Hall of Fame moment as the top-ranked WTA star suggests it beautifully showed how some things are bigger than the game itself.
For many years, there had been rumors about Williams and Sharapova not liking each other – not as players, but also on a personal level. And the fact that they shaded each other on a couple of occasions didn't help beat that narrative. However, a few years ago, they were spotted sharing a moment during the Met Gala, and they spoke more positively about each other in some of their interviews.
On Saturday, Williams and Sharapova officially confirmed that their relationship changed for the better when the American introduced the Russian tennis legend into the Hall of Fame in Newport. To no one's surprise, the moment quickly went viral and made all the headlines.
Sabalenka on the Williams-Sharapova moment: You could see that tennis is just one small part of our lives
“It was really inspiring and super kind. You can see that tennis is just one small part of our lives, and to see them become that close and become friends is very inspiring. I was touched by the speeches from both of them. It’s a great message to the world that on court we are opponents and can be quite aggressive, but off the court we’re all kind and we’re all friends," the Belarusian tennis star explained at the US Open.
In late 2024, Sabalenka practiced with Iga Swiatek for the first time – they filmed a TikTok – and fans were left positively surprised. Later, the world No. 1 admitted that she and Swiatek didn't have any relationship in the past, but after practicing and spending some time together, they realized that they actually could go along.
"It's been becoming more chilled between us, too. I have to say she's a really nice person. It was fun to get to know each other," Sabalenka said of her relationship with Swiatek earlier this year.
