NEWPORT, R.I. — Serena Williams made a a surprise — and early — appearance at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, emerging from behind the stage to introduce “former rival, former fan and forever friend" Maria Sharapova for her induction on Saturday night.
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Photos: Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova
In this July 1, 2004, file photo, Russia's Maria Sharapova reacts after defeating Lindsay Davenport in their women's singles semifinal match at Wimbledon. She went on to defeat Serena Williams in the final at the age of 17. Sharapova is retiring from professional tennis at the age of 32 after five Grand Slam titles and time ranked No. 1. She has been dealing with shoulder problems for years. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus, File)
Maria Sharapova
In this Sept. 9, 2006, file photo, Maria Sharapova looks up to the crowd after winning the women's singles championship over Justin Henin-Hardenne of Belgium at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Maria Sharapova
In this Sept. 10, 2006, file photo, Maria Sharapova, the U.S. Open tennis women's singles champion, poses with her trophy in New York. (AP Photo/Osamu Honda, File)
Maria Sharapova
In this March 26, 2006, file photo, Maria Sharapova of Russia serves to Maria Elena Camerin of Italy at the Nasdaq-100 Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova
Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova, right, shakes hands with Venus Williams of the U.S. at the end of their exhibition match in Hua Hin, southern Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010. Sharapova defeated Williams, 6-3, 6-4. (AP Photo)
Maria Sharapova
Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova returns a shot to Venus Willams of the U.S. during their exhibition match in Hua Hin, southern Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010. (AP Photo)
Maria Sharapova
In this March 7, 2016, file photo, tennis star Maria Sharapova appears during a news conference in Los Angeles. In an essay written for Vanity Fair and Vogue about her decision to walk away from the sport, posted online Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, Sharapova asks: “How do you leave behind the only life you’ve ever known?” (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Maria Sharapova
In this Sept. 9, 2006, file photo, Maria Sharapova kisses the women's singles championship trophy at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
Maria Sharapova
In this Aug. 31, 2010, file photo, Maria Sharapova celebrates after winning her match against Jarmila Groth of Australia during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York. (AP Photo/Paul J. Bereswill, File)
Maria Sharapova
Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova poses in Miami on March 22, 2006, as she shows off new custom Nike apparel. (AP Photo/Ron Angle)
Maria Sharapova
Tennis star Maria Sharapova poses outside of Bloomingdale's in New York before launching her new TAG Heuer watch on Aug. 22, 2006. Five percent of proceeds from the sale of the watch during the U.S. Open that year benefited her charity, the Maria Sharapova Foundation, aimed at helping "at-risk" children achieve their dreams. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova of Russia is shown in action during her women's singles final match against Serena Williams of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 27, 2007. Sharapova chose the design and the colors of her outfit to reflect the relaxed atmosphere of summer in Australia. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, file)
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova reacts after defeating Justin Henin-Hardenne of Belgium in the women's singles final at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sept. 9, 2006. The black dress Sharapova wore was inspired by her love of Audrey Hepburn and "Breakfast at Tiffany's." (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, file)
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova returns the ball to Venus Williams during their women's singles match on Centre Court at Wimbledon on July 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
Maria Sharapova
Tennis player Maria Sharapova sits courtside during an NBA basketball game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat on Nov. 30, 2007, in Miami. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
Maria Sharapova
In this Jan. 24, 2008, file photo, Maria Sharapova returns to Serbia's Jelena Jankovic at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith, File)
Maria Sharapova
Tennis star Maria Sharapova prepares to serve to "Late Show" host David Letterman, who played with comedian Billy Crystal while the trio taped a segment on the street outside the show's studios in New York on April 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova of Russia blows a kiss to supporters after defeating Patty Schnyder of Switzerland in their quarterfinal match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome on May 16, 2008. Sharapova defeated Schnyder 6-7 (3), 7-5, 6-2. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Maria Sharapova
Tennis player Maria Sharapova unveils a limited edition Canon PowerShot diamond-encrusted camera on Aug. 20, 2008, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova serves to fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova during the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament March 26, 2012, in Key Biscayne, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova returns the ball to Ekaterina Makarova during the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament March 26, 2012, in Key Biscayne, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Maria Sharapova
Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova smiles as she addresses a press conference in New Delhi, India, Nov. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)
Maria Sharapova
Professional tennis player Maria Sharapova celebrates the new "Sugarpova" pop-up shop in Bloomingdale's on Aug. 25, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Donald Traill/Invision/AP)
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova of Russia returns a shot to Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic during their third round match of the Japan Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo on Sept. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
Maria Sharapova
In this Jan. 26, 2016, file photo, Maria Sharapova of Russia waves as she leaves Rod Laver Arena following her quarterfinal loss to Serena Williams of the United States at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
Maria Sharapova
In this Jan. 26, 2016, file photo, Maria Sharapova reacts after losing a point to Serena Williams during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)
