Sharapova at Roland-Garros after Serena | Sports News

Maria Sharapova was noticed at Roland-Garros simply hours after Serena Williams introduced her return to tennis.

On Monday, Williams, arguably the best tennis participant of all time, introduced she was making a profession U-turn and is anticipated to play doubles at Queen’s Club subsequent week. The 44-year-old had been unofficially retired in 2022, although rumors had circulated that she was contemplating a return, an announcement she made during the French Open.

Now, it’s clear that Williams shall be returning to the courtroom, with one of her greatest rivals, Sharapova, additionally making her presence recognized at Roland-Garros. She took to social media to let her followers know her journey at the French Open, taking a quantity of snaps whereas sporting an spectacular outfit.

Of word, Sharapova received the French Open in 2012 and 2014 whereas Williams was topped the winner in 1999 and 2010. While each received the French Open twice, the 2 have had a long-standing rivalry on the courtroom, as Williams and Sharapova left all of it on the courtroom at any time when they battled.

“At the end of the day, we have so much deep respect for each other. There was no one that I wanted to see other than her on stage, and I had to make that phone call,” Sharapova mentioned, referring to her choice to have Williams induct her into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

She added: “Since we retired, we got very close. And then at the end, I was like, ‘Oh by the way, would you induct me into the Tennis Hall of Fame?’”

Speaking on Williams’ ferocity, she continued: “It’s a gift to have someone who motivates you to reach those heights. And I’ll forever be grateful for bringing out the best in me. We both hated to lose more than anything on this earth, and we both knew that the other was the biggest obstacle between ourselves and the trophy.”

While Sharapova has been retired from tennis since 2020, it appears that Williams still has something left in the tank as she prepares to return to action.

In a statement, Williams explained why she was returning to the HSBC Championships, potentially paving the way for a Wimbledon appearance.

“Queen’s Club looks like the right place to start this subsequent chapter,” the tennis icon’s statement began. “Grass has given me some of probably the most significant moments of my profession, and I’m excited to be back competing on one of the game’s most iconic levels.”