5 Maria Sharapova achievements that highlight her legacy amid induction into Tennis Hall of Fame
Maria Sharapova, along with Bob and Mike Bryan, will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in August 2025. The Class of 2025 was announced on Thursday, October 24, and the trio have made the cut in their very first year of eligibility.
Sharapova became an overnight sensation after she stunned two-time defending champion Serena Williams to win her maiden Major crown at Wimbledon 2004. She became one of the most recognizable players to ever play the sport, and her accomplishments both on and off the court, made her an icon.
The Russian's grit and icy demeanor fetched her plenty of accolades over the course of her career. As she is set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, here's a quick look at some of her most noteworthy achievements:
#1 - Maria Sharapova completed a Career Grand Slam with her victory at the French Open 2012
Winning one Major title is a huge achievement in itself. However, to triumph at all four Majors at least once is what separates the good players from the greatest. Sharapova won her maiden Major title at Wimbledon 2004, and followed it up with a victory at the US Open 2006.
Two years later, Sharapova added an Australian Open crown to her resume. Despite some good results on clay since the start of her career, she wasn't completely comfortable on the surface, and went as far as calling herself a "cow on ice". Many wondered if a French Open title would remain beyond her grasp.
Plenty of great players fell short of a career Grand Slam. Martina Hingis, Venus Williams, and Monica Seles are a few examples. However, Sharapova averted the same fate as them with her win at the French Open in 2012, and completed the career Grand Slam, the 10th woman in history to do so.
#2 - Won a title every year for 13 consecutive seasons
Sharapova struggled with injuries for a better part of her career, and took extended breaks to recover. Despite missing a good chunk of the season from time to time, she managed to win at least one title every year for 13 years. Such consistency is quite remarkable for a player plagued with injuries.
Sharapova's streak started in 2003, and came to an end in 2015. Only three women have done better than her in this regard. Martina Navratilova won a title for 21 consecutive years, Chris Evert did it for 18 years, and Steffi Graf for 14 years. To be in the same company as these women is quite a feat.
#3 - Maria Sharapova became the 16th woman to claim the No. 1 ranking
Attaining the No. 1 ranking is a huge milestone in a player's career. Given how the rankings are calculated, players have to perform well throughout the year in order to rise to the top. Sharapova ascended to the top of the rankings for the first time in August 2005, and her initial reign lasted for only a week.
However, Sharapova snatched back the top ranking from Lindsay Davenport a fortnight later, and remained on top for six weeks. Her third stint as the top-ranked player lasted for seven weeks starting from January 2007. She added another three weeks to her tally a year later from May to June 2008.
Sharapova's final stay atop the summit came following her triumph at the French Open 2012, and lasted for four weeks. She spent a total of 21 weeks at the top, which puts her in 18th place on the all-time list.
#4 - Maria Sharapova won 14 WTA 1000 titles during her career
After the Grand Slams and the WTA Finals, the WTA 1000 tournaments (formerly known as Tier I) are the most important in terms of prestige. Sharapova has 14 of those from 25 finals, which has her in fourth place on the all-time list. Serena Williams leads the list with 23 titles, followed by Steffi Graf with 18 titles and Martina Hingis with 17 titles.
Sharapova won her first such title at the Pan Pacific Open 2005. She won three WTA 1000 titles in 2006, the most she did in a single season during her career. The Italian Open was her most successful hunting ground, with three titles at the venue. She also won the final WTA 1000 title of her career in Rome.
#5 - Maria Sharapova claimed the silver medal at the London Olympics
Sharapova arrived at the London Olympics 2012 as one of the favorites to claim the topmost honors. She was one of the most in-form players heading into the event that year, having won three titles, including the French Open. She was the flagbearer for Russia in the opening ceremony, and it was also her Olympic debut.
Sharapova made it all the way to the final, and came up short against her familiar rival Serena Williams, and nabbed the silver medal for her efforts. While she fell short of her goal, winning an Olympic medal is still an accomplishment, with only a handful of players having one. Furthermore, this was the only time she participated in the Olympics, making her achievement even more memorable.