Maria Sharapova and the Bryan brothers are elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame

By Howard Fendrich, The Associated Press on October 24, 2024.

Maria Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam singles champion known for plenty of on-court grit and off-court attention, and Bob and Mike Bryan, twins who won a record 16 major titles in men’s doubles together, are first-ballot selections for the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

The Newport, Rhode Island-based Hall announced the Class of 2025 results Thursday.

Sharapova won at least one championship at each of her sport’s four most prestigious events, making her one of 10 women in tennis history to complete a career Grand Slam, and was the first Russian woman to reach No. 1 in the WTA singles rankings. She retired in 2020 at age 32 after career that included 15 years in the spotlight, a 15-month doping ban and multiple operations on her troublesome right shoulder.

The Bryan brothers also compiled a career Grand Slam and spent 438 weeks at No. 1 in the ATP doubles rankings. They won a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics and helped the United States win the 2007 Davis Cup title; Bob is currently the captain of the American team that will go to Malaga, Spain, for next month’s finals to compete for the country’s first triumph in that competition since then.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

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