Worth The Wait, Sensational Champion Maria Sharapova Inducted Into The International Tennis Hall Of Fame
FCI Staff Writer Sacramento 
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November 1, 2024,
Some things get questioned and you wonder, why the heck why?
The incredible tennis legend Maria Sharapova has just been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
You agree she should be there, right?
From where we sit, it should be a no brainer. Here is why.
Maria is a Russian former world No. 1 tennis player.
Yes, best in the world.
She competed on the WTA Tour from 2001 to 2020 and was ranked world No. 1 in singles by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for 21 weeks.
Extremely impressive.
She is one of ten women to achieve the career Grand Slam.
The career achievement of winning all four major championships in one discipline is termed a “Career Grand Slam”, or “Career Slam”
She is also an Olympic medalist, having won silver in women’s singles at the 2012 London Olympics.
She has been considered as one of the best tennis competitors of her generation.
Only ten women, including Maureen Connolly, Doris Hart, Shirley Fry Irvin, Margaret Court, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova have completed a Career Grand Slam.
Incredible company.
There’s more.
Maria became the world No. 1 for the first time on August 22, 2005 at the age of 18, becoming the first Russian woman to top the singles rankings, and last held the position on July 8, 2012.
She won five major titles, two at the French Open and one each at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. She won 36 titles in total, including the year-end championships on her debut in 2004.
So, with that mind blowing resume, what is the rub? Why do some feel that she should not be in the Hall of Fame?
Maria failed a drug test at the 2016 Australian Open, testing positive for meldonium, a substance that had been banned, effective January 1, 2016 by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
What is meldonium?
As shared by usada.org, “Outside of the United States, meldonium may be used in a clinical setting for those suffering from heart conditions, such as low blood flow to the heart and angina, as well as neurodegenerative disorders and bronchopulmonary diseases.”
Interesting. Seems helpful.
Here is the rub.
They add, “In sport, evidence indicates that meldonium may increase endurance, improve rehabilitation following exercise, and enhance activations of the central nervous system. Meldonium may also provide cognitive advantages.”
The clouds part.
On June 8, 2016, she was suspended from playing tennis for two years by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
On October 4, 2016, the suspension was reduced to 15 months, starting from the date of the failed test, as the Court of Arbitration for Sport found that she had committed “no significant fault” and that she had taken the substance “based on a doctor’s recommendation, with good faith belief that it was appropriate and compliant with the relevant rules”.
We appreciate common sense thinking.
She returned to the WTA Tour on April 26, 2017 at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
Major applause.
We have always loved Maria for her down to earth personality, incredible high level play and simply coming along, some say at the wrong time, when the legendary Serena Williams was at her best.
The good news is that Maria is still living the good life.
Our luminary’s tennis success and appearances have enabled her to secure commercial endorsements that greatly exceed the value of her tournament winnings.
In March 2006, Forbes magazine listed her as the highest-paid female athlete in the world, with annual earnings of over US$18 million, the majority of which was from endorsements and sponsorships.
Let’s raise our glasses.
To the good life.
To her Hall of Fame selection.
Read on.
Maria Sharapova and the Bryan Brothers to be Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2025
News provided by
International Tennis Hall of Fame
Oct 24, 2024, 09:00 ET
The star-studded 2025 class will be honored throughout a weekend of celebration packed with exciting new programming for both fans and legends of the game
NEWPORT, R.I., Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Five-time singles major champion Maria Sharapova and American doubles team Bob and Mike Bryan and have been elected to receive the Ultimate Honor in Tennis – induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Sharapova is one of only ten women in tennis history to achieve a career singles Grand Slam and topped the world rankings five times throughout her nearly 20-year WTA career. The Bryan Brothers teamed together to win 16 major titles throughout their careers and remain the most successful doubles team in ATP Tour history, holding the record for most weeks atop the ATP doubles world rankings (438).
The Class of 2025 will be officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame during the Induction Celebration in Newport, Rhode Island from August 21-23, 2025. The 2025 Induction Celebration will usher in a new era for the Hall of Fame that highlights the best of tennis culture through art, fashion, music and more.
New for this upcoming year, attendees can look forward to seeing their favorite tennis legends and creators team up for the first ever Hall of Fame Celebrity Pro Classic. The charitable tournament will feature two teams consisting of Hall of Famers, celebrities and creators, all mic’d up as they take the court together through six matches of fast-paced mixed doubles play.
The 2025 Induction Celebration will also offer fans more ways to engage with legends and celebrate the best of tennis with programming both in and outside the grounds of International Tennis Hall of Fame. Attendees can enjoy Fanfest activities, meet and greets, and live podcast recordings, along with premium New England faire from food trucks across the region. The ITHF will also return its Courting Fashion event to celebrate iconic tennis fashion on display at the historic mansion Marble House and will close out the weekend with its formal induction ceremony of the 2025 Class, followed by a live musical concert.
“I am honored to welcome Maria Sharapova and Bob and Mike Bryan as the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025,” said Kim Clijsters, President of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Class of 2017 Hall of Famer. “Beyond each of their historic accomplishments on the court, the Class of 2025 have had such a profound impact on the game of tennis and have inspired multiple generations of fans across the world. We look forward to celebrating them in Newport next year.”
Sharapova and the Bryans will join an elite group of 267 inductees from 28 countries to be presented with the Ultimate Honor in Tennis.
Tickets for the 2025 Induction Ceremony and full ITHF Induction Celebration experiences will go on sale in early 2025. Fans can learn more about Induction Celebration offerings and subscribe for updates at tennisfame.com/class-of-2025.
About the International Tennis Hall of Fame
The International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) is a non-profit organization that preserves the history of tennis and celebrates its champions to inspire excellence across generations globally. Induction into the Hall of Fame is the Ultimate Honor in Tennis, and to date has been presented to 267 Hall of Famers representing 28 nations. Located in Newport, Rhode Island in the United States, the Hall of Fame honors these legends and chronicles the sport’s history in an interactive museum, digital experiences and global programming. For more information on the International Tennis Hall of Fame, visit tennisfame.com.
SOURCE International Tennis Hall of Fame
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OPENING PHOTO Shutterstock-Jimmie48-Photography-photo-credit-Editorial-use-fcielitecompetitor.com, fciwomenswrestling2.com, femcompetitor.com, grapplingstars.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Sharapova
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Slam_(tennis)#Career_Grand_Slam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meldonium
https://www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/education/meldonium/
https://www.fciwomenswrestling2.com
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