Sharapova, Bryan brothers inducted into Hall of Fame

By Reuters
October 25, 2024
Former tennis player Maria Sharapova(left) and American twins Bob and Mike Bryan.— Reuters/file
Former tennis player Maria Sharapova(left) and American twins Bob and Mike Bryan.— Reuters/file 

NEWPORT, Rhode Island: Five-time singles Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova and American twins Bob and Mike Bryan, who formed the most successful doubles team in history, were named to the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, organisers said on Thursday.

They will be officially inducted at an Aug. 23 ceremony at the Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. Sharapova, one of only 10 women to achieve a career Grand Slam in singles, became the first Russian woman to reach the world number one ranking in 2005. She also won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

“Incredibly grateful to receive this honor,” Sharapova, 37, wrote on X. “A big thank you to The Hall of the Fame, and to all the voters. “Most importantly, this recognition is such a beautiful reminder of the deep appreciation I have for my fans. Each one of you made me reach for the stars and look at what we have achieved together.”

Renowned for her never-say-die approach to the sport despite regularly being hampered by shoulder problems, Sharapova was one of the game’s most recognisable players but her image took a hit after the announcement in 2016 that she had failed a drug test.

Sharapova tested positive for meldonium at the Australian Open in 2016 and was banned by the International Tennis Federation for two years before an appeal led to her suspension being reduced to 15 months.

She returned to competition in 2017 and retired in February 2020, ending a career in which she won almost $40 million in prize money, became one of the highest paid sportswomen in the world and one of the most recognisable athletes.

The Bryans won 16 Grand Slam men’s doubles titles together and were the world’s top-ranked team for a record 438 weeks. The Californian pair won a professional era record 119 titles together, including 16 Grand Slams, 39 ATP Masters 1000s and the ATP Finals title four times. The Bryans also won Olympic gold at London 2012 and were part of the U.S. Davis Cup-winning team in 2007.