Maria Sharapova heads nominees for Tennis Hall of Fame

Field Level Media|published: Tue 3rd September, 18:12 2024

AUGUST 19, 2011. Maria Sharapova of Russia beat Samantha Stosur of Australia 6,3,6,2 during the Women's quarterfinals of the Western and Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason. Photo shot Friday August 19, 2011. The Enquirer/Cara Owsley

Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova is the biggest name on the ballot for the International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Sharapova achieved the career Grand Slam, winning the French Open twice (2012, 2014), and Wimbledon (2004), the U.S. Open (2006) and Australian Open (2008) once. She won 36 singles titles and was the first Russian woman to reach No. 1 (2005).

Sharapova, now 37, retired in 2020 after a 19-year career.

The American doubles duo of Mike and Bob Bryan also are on the ballot. The twin brothers, now 46, teamed for 16 titles and won the 2012 Olympic gold medal in London.

"There's no greater honor. It's the top of the mountain of the sport to be in with the family of legends," Mike Bryan said on Tennis Channel on Tuesday. "It's a thrill to just be considered for the Hall."

A top holdover candidate is 12-time major doubles champions Daniel Nestor, who turns 52 on Wednesday. The Canadian won eight Grand Slam doubles crowns and four mixed doubles titles. He also won Olympic gold in doubles in 2021 at Tokyo.

The Hall of Fame class will be announced in October and the induction ceremonies are Aug. 21-23 in Newport, R.I.

--Field Level Media

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