Former world number one Serena Williams has revealed that she has disclosed reason behind not losing to Maria Sharapova after suffering early defeats.
The two had an intense rivalry during their playing days where the American tennis star had far better record as she won on 20 occasion in 22 meetings and suffered just two defeats. Interestingly, all 19 out of two those victories came in a row despite losing one out of the first two matches.
Serena, who is often regarded as the greatest player in the history of women’s tennis in the singles category in the Open era, having won as many as 23 Grand Slam titles, was recently quoted in a report where she revealed disclosing how she did not lose against Sharapova
"Oh, man, you didn’t see [what I said about beating Maria Sharapova]? I think that’s Episode 3. God, I’m so sad. You have to see the rest. You gotta wait for it. There was a reason why I didn’t lose to her, and I explain that," Williams told the journalist.
The first meeting between the two came in the fourth round of the Miami Open in 2004, where Serena came out on top with a score of 6-4, 6-3. Their first meeting was in the first round of the US Open in 2019, where once against Williams came out on top in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-1.
Sharapova’s first win against Serena came in the final at Wimbledon in 2004 as she emerged victorious in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-4. Her second triumph against the former world number one came 14 years later in 2018 which was down to Serena’s withdrawal.
Serena retired from professional tennis to give more time to her family in 2022. Her most successful competitions were Australian Open and Wimbledon 2023 where she lifted the title as many as seven titles. The Michigan-born also won four Olympic gold medal for the country on four occasions. On the other hand, Sharapova retired from professional tennis in 2020 after winning five Grand Slam titles.