Fan-favorite Sharapova takes a step closer to tennis immortality
The surname ‘Sharapova’ transcends tennis; it’s synonymous with greatness, fame, and, of course, aura. As a winner of 51 WTA titles and former world number one, she inspired generations of young girls to take up the racket. That legacy is now bearing fruit as she continues to add to her legendary career. In her first year on the ballot for the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the Russian has topped the fan vote, a clear testament to the lasting impact she has made on the sport. And she did it in style, with tens of thousands of fans from 120 countries casting their votes to show their unwavering support.
The “tsarina” of tennis, as many call her, won the hearts of fans not only with her remarkable achievements on the court but also with her presence beyond it. With coveted titles like Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open, as well as two victories at the French Open, Sharapova was the first Russian to reach the top of the world rankings. But her accolades don’t stop there. Who could forget her silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics or her crucial role in helping Russia clinch the Fed Cup title in 2008?
“I am incredibly grateful,” the tennis star said in a statement. “It’s a great honour to be considered for the Hall of Fame, and having the support of the fans makes it even more special.” And rightly so. Fans play a crucial role in the selection of new Hall of Fame inductees, a process that combines popular voting with the judgement of journalists and sports experts. For Sharapova, leading the fan vote means an additional three percentage points, which could secure her place in the Hall.
If Sharapova does enter this exclusive club of legends, she would become the third Russian tennis player to receive this honour, following in the footsteps of Marat Safin (2016) and Yevgeny Kafelnikov (2019). She would also be the first Russian woman to achieve this, adding yet another milestone to her storied career—a living legend of tennis—, continuing to inspire generations both inside and outside her country.
However, Sharapova is not alone in this race towards sporting immortality. The Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, the most successful doubles team in history, finished in second place. The duo, born on April 29, 1978, retired in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic with 39 titles to their names. Meanwhile, Canadian Daniel Nestor closed out the top three in the fan vote.
The Hall of Fame, located in the historic Newport Casino in Rhode Island, eagerly awaits the announcement of the next class of inductees. Should Sharapova succeed, it will not only be a personal triumph but also a victory for all those who have followed and supported her from the very beginning of her tennis journey.
