Iga Swiatek shared heartfelt reflections on the surprising friendship between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, two former rivals whose relationship was once marked by tension. Their reunion at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, where Serena introduced Maria during her induction, struck a chord with Swiatek and many others across the tennis world.
From Rivalry to Respect
Swiatek admitted she was shocked to see the two icons come together so warmly, given their famously intense history on tour. “Honestly it’s great. It’s a shame obviously that it didn’t happen before when they were on tour together,” she said. The transformation of their relationship, from icy competition to mutual admiration, highlighted the power of time, growth, and goodwill.
Good Intentions Can Heal Old Wounds
Reflecting on the emotional moment, Swiatek emphasized the importance of intention. “I guess if you have good intentions, you can work through everything,” she said. For her, seeing Serena and Maria appreciate each other after years of rivalry was not only touching—it was a reminder of what sport can represent beyond the scoreboard.
A Lesson for the Tennis Community
Swiatek believes that players, despite competing fiercely, should strive for unity and shared purpose. “I feel like we all should be kind of united and going towards one goal as players,” she said, pointing to Serena and Maria’s reconciliation as a powerful example. Their embrace at the Hall of Fame wasn’t just symbolic—it was a message to the next generation.
Celebrating Greatness Together
In the end, Swiatek’s admiration for both women was clear. “Maria also deserves that, and Serena… she’s great. So they’re both great,” she said. Their moment of connection served as a reminder that even the fiercest rivalries can evolve into mutual respect, and that greatness is often best celebrated together.
Swiatek at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2025
Ranked no.2, Iga has achieved an overall 50-12 match record in 2025. Iga is competing at the U.S. Open where she toppled the world no.84 Emiliana Arango 6-1 6-2.
Iga Swiatek will take on the world no.66 Suzan Lamens in the 2nd round. They have never played each other so far in top events.
The Pole has won 2 titles in 2025 in Wimbledon and Cincinnati. The Pole was the finalist in Australia (United Cup) and in Bad Homburg (Bad Homburg Open).
Swiatek won 25 titles in her career: 14 on hard courts, 10 on clay courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of her titles)