Former world number one Maria Sharapova is one of only ten women to have won all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Special but dubious honor for Maria Sharapova: the five-time Grand Slam winner will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame next year.
The organizers announced this on Thursday. “When you retire, you rarely get to reflect on your past because you quickly move on to the obligations of life,” said the Russian woman: “This is an incredible recognition. Thank you so much.”
Former world number one Sharapova is one of only ten women to win all four Grand Slam tournaments. She also won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
The biggest doping case in women’s tennis
In 2016, Sharapova was suspended for 15 months after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium – at the time the biggest doping case in women’s tennis. She announced the end of her career in February 2020.
The ceremony, at which the American doubles Bob and Mike Bryan will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame, will take place from August 21 to 23 in Newport, Rhode Island. The selection was made by members of the Hall of Fame, historians, journalists and fans.
