Maria Sharapova, Bob and Mike Bryan Announced for Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVOctober 24, 2024

Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images

Maria Sharapova along with Bob and Mike Bryan comprise the newest class of inductees in the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Honorary president Kim Clijsters called the three to inform them of the honor:

International Tennis Hall of Fame @TennisHalloFameThe Ultimate Honor in Tennis is calling ☎️

A very special welcome to the Class of 2025 ✨@Clijsterskim | @MariaSharapova | @Bryanbrothers pic.twitter.com/hW2OyvYwcZ

“I am honored to welcome Maria Sharapova and Bob and Mike Bryan as the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025,” Clijsters said. “Beyond each of their historic accomplishments on the court, the Class of 2025 have had such a profound impact on the game of tennis and have inspired multiple generations of fans across the world. We look forward to celebrating them in Newport next year.”

Sharapova is a five-time major champion who achieved the career Grand Slam when she won the 2012 French Open.

The Russian made her breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2004. At just 17, she dethroned two-time defending Serena Williams in straight sets in the final. She went on to beat Williams again in the final of the WTA Tour Championships that same year.

While Sharapova didn’t have the kind of career her 2004 success seemingly portended, she went on to win 36 WTA events and was a silver medalist in women’s singles at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Bob and Mike Bryan formed the greatest doubles pairing in men’s tennis history. Together they won 16 Grand Slams and an Olympic gold medal in 2012, making them the only team to achieve the feat.

“It was nothing we ever even put on our goal list,” Bob told ESPN’s D’Arcy Maine of getting into the Hall of Fame. “It’s almost too unattainable for a young kid to think about that, and we always just loved what we did. I think that’s what drove us to this point, and it allowed us to play tennis for so long. It was never really work or sacrifice for us.”

The Bryans were ranked No. 1 in the world for 438 total weeks, which included a stretch of 139 consecutive weeks from 2013 to 2015.

Mike earned bragging rights over his younger brother when he teamed with Jack Sock to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 2018.

Sharapova and the Bryans will take their place among tennis’ immortals next August.