Tennis world in frenzy over Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova reunion

Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova have sent the tennis world into a meltdown after surprising fans with another moment of the pair having fun. Williams and Sharapova shared a bitter rivalry on the court during their playing days, which saw the American defeat the Russian 20 times compared to just two losses.

While the rivalry was fierce on the court, it wasn't that much better off it after Sharapova famously said in 2017 that they'd "never be friends". Although she held out hope that after some time, things might turn around one day.

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“Serena and I should be friends: we love the same thing, we have the same passion,” Sharapova said in 2017. "But we are not friends—not at all. I think, to some extent, we have driven each other.

“Maybe that’s better than being friends. Maybe that’s what it takes to fire up the proper fury … Someday, when all this is in our past, maybe we’ll become friends. Or not.”

Then in 2021, Sharapova stunned the tennis world after taking a photo with Williams and her sister, Venus, at the Met Gala. And it appears the duo have reunited again at the Moncler Genius Fashion Show.

Sharapova posted a photo of the pair sharing a smile with the caption: "Reunited." And just like at the Met Gala in 2021, this photo sent the tennis world into a spin.

It appears tennis fans still find it amazing the two former rivals share such a cordial relationship off the court. Sharapova's not so subtle post was always going to cause a stir.

Sharapova stunned the tennis world early 2020 when she announced her retirement from the sport. The Russian later revealed how a brutal loss to Williams at the 2019 US Open convinced her it was time to call it quits.

Sharapova lifted the lid on how a 6-1, 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Serena sparked her decision to hang up the racquet. "There is no mastering tennis – you must simply keep heeding the demands of the court while trying to quiet those incessant thoughts in the back of your mind,” Sharapova wrote in a farewell article.

"Shoulder injuries are nothing new for me - over time my tendons have frayed like a string. I’ve had multiple surgeries - once in 2008; another procedure last year - and spent countless months in physical therapy.

“Just stepping onto the court that day felt like a final victory, when of course it should have been merely the first step toward victory. I share this not to garner pity, but to paint my new reality: My body had become a distraction.”

Williams retired from tennis last year after a farewell grand slam at the US Open. She retired with 23 grand slam titles and 14 doubles titles.

Sharapova opened up on their rivaly in her 2017 memoir and claimed she thought Williams 'hated' her from early in her career because she was the "skinny kid who beat her, against all odds, at Wimbledon".

Sharapova was referring to the 2004 Wimbledon final. Williams said she was 'disappointed' at some of Sharapova's claims in her memoirs and said she never disliked the Russian during their playing days.

Maria Sharapova stuns fans at Met Gala

In 2021, the tennis world lost it when the two tennis greats took a photo of them living it up at the Met Gala and smiling for photos together. Sharapova posted one such photo of herself in between Serena and her sister Venus, with all three woman smiling from ear to ear.

The Russian accompanied the happy snap with a number of raised hand emojis, sending users on social media into meltdown.

In July last year, Sharapova welcomed the birth of her first child with British millionaire Alexander Gilkes. Gilkes is one of the most connected men in the UK and reportedly became friends with Prince William when they were both at Eton College.

He is also said to be close to Prince Harry, who also went to the school. The British businessman - who has a reported net worth of $20 million - is also the ex-husband of Meghan Markle’s best friend Misha Nonoo.

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