Maria Sharapova once clarified exactly what made her rivalry with Serena Williams so intense.
The two stars dominated tennis for a number of years and in the midst of that rivalry Sharapova wrote in her book detailing everything about their relationship.
Maria Sharapova’s win over Serena Williams in 2004 kick started the 15-year rivarly
Williams and Sharapova have a combined 29 Grand Slams and while that is lobsided towards the former, the pair lit up tennis between 2004-2019 with their passionate rivalry.
The infamous tale of the two began in 2004 when Williams announced Sharapova to the world.
The Russian beat Williams at just 17 years of age to claim her first major in a match etched into tennis history.
From that point, Williams would go on and dominate tennis and their rivalry with a overall head to head of 20-2 in favour of the American.
In an attempt to explain why she struggled against Williams more than any oppoenet, Sharapova pinpointed the 2004 Wimbledon final as the reason why.
In Sharapova’s autobiography “Unstoppable: My Life so Far” released in 2017, the five-time major revealed why there was needle between her and Williams.
Sharapova claimed in the book that Williams “hated her” for being “the skinny kid who beat her, against all odds, at Wimbledon [in 2004].”
The Russian also added she saw Williams do something in the locker room and she has never forgiven her for seeing it.
“I went to the locker room alone. Serena had left the court as soon as she could without making a scene,” Sharpova wrote.
“I did not notice it and wouldn’t have thought about it if not for what was going on when I got to my stall.
Sharapova did not beat Williams in a Grand Slam final since Wimbledon
The pair share a more cordial relationship these days
“Having your own private stall means that, even though you cannot see your opponent, you can hear her. And what I heard, when I came in and started to change clothes was Serena Williams crying.”
“I got out as quickly as I could, but she knew I was there. People often wonder why I have had so much trouble beating Serena; she’s owned me in the past ten years. My record against her is 2 and 19.”
Sharapova went on to further explain that in spite of all Williams’ strengths, it was the fact she saw the American vulnerable that sparked such an intense rivalry
“In analysing this, people talk about her strength, her serve and confidence, how her particular game matches up to mine and sure there is truth to all of that,” Sharpova wrote.
“To me, the real answer was there, in this locker room. where I was changing and she was sobbing.
“I think Serena hated me for being the skinny kid who beat her, against all the odds, at Wimbledon.
“I think she hated me for taking something that she believes belong to her. I think she hated me for seeing her at her lowest moment. But mostly I think she hated me for hearing her cry. She’s never forgiven me for it.”
The book was released during the pair’s playing days and inevitably Williams was asked about the claim and the 23-time Grand Slam winner was disappointed to say the least.
“I have cried in the locker room many times after a loss, and that’s what I have seen a lot of people do,” Williams told the BBC in 2018.
The pair’s last bout was in the first round of US Open in which Williams won.
“I think what happens there should definitely maybe stay there and not necessarily talk about it in a not-so-positive way in a book.
“I don’t have any negative feelings towards her, which again, was a little disappointing to see in that hearsay book.
“As a fan, I wanted to read the book and I was really excited for it to come out and I was really happy for her. [But] I didn’t expect to be reading a book about me, that wasn’t necessarily true.”
Sharapova retired from tennis in 2020 after a series of injuries made her unable to compete at the top-level anymore.
Despite her one-sided rivalry with Williams, the Russian still enjoyed a illustrious career, achieving a career Slam and winning five majors in total.
