‘They Don’t Like Each Other..’ – Despite Its Lopsided Nature, Serena Williams’ and Maria Sharapova’s 15-Year ‘Feisty’ Rivalry Given a Pivotal Crown by Chris Evert in 2018

Great rivalries make sports even more glorious. Nothing brings in more viewers than watching two heated competitors battle it out with everything they have. Serena Williams is an athlete who has had a plethora of rivals in her career. Her sister Venus Williams, Martina Hingis, and Jennifer Capriati were some of her great rivals. However, the former world number 1, Chris Evert, believes that the retired Russian tennis star, Maria Sharapova, was Williams’ fiercest rival.

Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova have faced each other a total of 22 times. Williams leads the rivalry with a blinding majority of 20 wins. Although it is highly one-sided, Sharapova always brought her best to their duel. Their rivalry was quite fierce, as the two had very strong opinions about each other.

Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams had the best rivalry

Rennae Stubbs, coach and former doubles legend, has a podcast called The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast. Chris Evert came on as a guest and the two discussed several aspects of life as Evert talked about dating, MeToo and more. Evert also stated one thing which stood out. As per her, she believed that Sharapova and Williams had a great rivalry.

She said that although it was one-sided, the matches between the two players were quite fierce. She saw them like her and Martina Navratilova.  The former number 1 explained that they did not like each other when they were on the court.

“I love the Sharapova-Williams rivalry because it is so feisty. It is one-sided, but it is so intense. Both of them are so intense, and they’re so opposite. They’re very much like Martina and I. You know, there’s such a contrast in personality and style etc., and you get the sense that they don’t like each other when they’re on the court.”

She went on to say that everyone enjoyed the intensity between the two. Evert also said that when the two are at their best, they are the mentally toughest players in the last two decades.

“You know, it’s just a lot of intensity and everybody kind of enjoys that sort of picture, and everybody enjoys that event. Even though it’s one-sided, they still enjoy it. The two players, Maria and Serena, at their best, are the two mentally toughest players in the last 20 years, hands down.”

Read more – ‘B**ch at the Refs’ – When Maria Sharapova Confessed About ‘Irritating’ Rival Serena Williams’ Attitude During Their Heated Encounters

Despite their intense rivalry on the court, now they are quite amicable with one another. Williams even called Sharapova her best friends, as the two are now mothers.

Do you agree with Chris Evert? Can you think of a rivalry in women’s tennis that was more intense than the Williams-Sharapova rivalry?

Watch this story – She Has Thick Arms and Thick Legs’ – Maria Sharapova Once Divulged her Fear Factor Upon Meeting Arch-Rival Serena Williams for the First Time