Maria Sharapova turned her trip to Newport, Rhode Island, into a celebration. She documented her travel to Rhode Island as she prepared to be honored at the International Tennis Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The former World No. 1 shared behind-the-scenes moments from her journey, offering fans a personal look at one of the most memorable milestones of her career.
How Did Maria Sharapova and Fiancé Alexander Gilkes Celebrate Her Hall of Fame Moment?
The five-time Grand Slam champion joins Bob and Mike Bryan in the Class of 2025, an honor reserved for players whose accomplishments have permanently impacted the sport.
Sharapova allowed her followers to ride along on the journey. She posted Instagram stories from her private jet, posing with fiancé Alexander Gilkes while smiling ahead of the weekend’s festivities. In one frame, she held up a bottle of champagne with the caption, “Here we come!!!”
Later, she gave a glimpse of the ceremony, sharing a clip of the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s honorary president, Kim Clijsters, helping her into the traditional blazer reserved for inductees.
What Did Sharapova Say About Receiving This Hall of Fame Honor?
Sharapova celebrated her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 by thanking her fans and expressing gratitude for the honor. Her place in the Class was confirmed in October 2024, when the Hall of Fame posted a video on X showing her reaction, which she later reshared with a caption:
“Incredibly grateful to receive this honor. 🤍 A big thank you to The Hall of 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. Thank you 🥹”
Incredibly grateful to receive this honor. 🤍 A big thank you to The Hall of 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… https://t.co/vRNp0JqR77
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) October 24, 2024
MORE: Maria Sharapova Shares Romantic Posts Celebrating Her Fiancé’s Birthday
Sharapova’s path to the Hall of Fame is filled with defining achievements that span her career. She announced herself to the tennis world at 17 years old when she stunned Serena Williams to win the 2004 Wimbledon title. She captured the 2006 US Open crown, the 2008 Australian Open and two French Open trophies in 2012 and 2014, completing her career Grand Slam.
Beyond the Majors, she won 36 WTA singles titles, an Olympic silver medal at the 2012 London Games, and spent 21 weeks ranked No. 1 worldwide.