What is the definition of a sporting rivalry? If it is a competition between two relative equals, then the relationship between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova is not a rivalry, the American’s 17-2 head-to-head record far too lopsided to be considered close. If, however, it’s a contest between two players who compete better than anyone else in the game and for whom giving an inch is not in their DNA, then theirs is as much a rivalry as any other. Throw in the spice of a strained personal relationship and Thursday’s semi-final promises to be another enthralling spectacle.
“They’ve been the top two players consistently, the last 10 years and I think they call it a rivalry because they’re polar opposites,” the former Wimbledon champion Chris Evert told The Guardian. “I think rivalries are about two opposites, about where they came from in their lives, how they look, how they play, their temperaments, their style of play, they’re so different in every way, shape and form. But at the same time, it’s been one-sided. Maria’s also known for getting out of holes and for mental toughness. I think people keep hoping there’s going to be a rivalry.”
In pure numbers terms, there is only likely to be one winner. When Sharapova stunned Williams to win Wimbledon as a 17-year-old in 2004 and followed it with victory in the season-ending WTA Championships, she led their head-to-head record 2-1. Since then, Williams has won all 16 of their contests, five of them in grand slams – including three finals. She has also won both their meetings on grass, the most recent of them a 6-0, 6-1 drubbing in the Olympics final at Wimbledon in 2012. In January, Williams won her then 19th grand slam title with a 6-3, 7-6 victory at the Australian Open and in the 12 clashes since they last met here five years ago, Sharapova has won just one set.
What gives their matches an added edge, of course, is that they don’t get on. It’s not that they hate each other – this isn’t McEnroe and Connors at the low-point of their relationship – it’s just that neither has time for the other. They are both outstanding competitors who have been champions their entire adult lives, so there is no obligation for them to be bosom buddies. But their famous spat here in 2013 added spice to things and will forever be mentioned any time they play a big match.
The row came on the eve of Wimbledon two years ago after some comments made by Williams in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, comments the author assumed referred to Sharapova and her boyfriend, Grigor Dimitrov, the Bulgarian player who was rumoured to have briefly dated Serena. The comments may even not have been about Sharapova but the Russian hit back, taking aim at Williams’ alleged relationship with her coach Patrick Mouratoglou. It was an ugly, if revealing incident. Williams later said she had apologised to Sharapova but one thing is for certain, every time she sees her across the net, she raises her game.
Evert, working as a pundit for ESPN, said the personal side matters. “They don’t want to lose to each other, more than anybody,” she said. “They’re competitive, in the business field, in endorsements, in popularity, in PR, so definitely I think the personal part carries over. Serena gets really psyched up naturally for Maria. If she plays like she has the last two matches, she’s going to win. It’s all about the first serve and the court coverage. Serena’s a level ahead of Maria and that’s where the difference is.”
Going into Williams’ fourth-round match against her sister, Mouratoglou said Wimbledon was now about “four grand slam finals”; Venus, Azarenka, Sharapova and Petra Kvitova. That was before the Czech crashed out in round three but the fact remains that Williams knows she has to play her best from here on if she’s to complete a second “Serena Slam” of four grand slams in a row and remain on track for the calendar year grand slam.
Sharapova said “there will be no secrets when they meet” but this is where Williams usually steps up. “I love playing Maria,” Williams said. “I think she brings out the best in me. I think I bring out the best in her. I thought we had a wonderful final in Australia. It was very entertaining, she played really well.”
Williams and Sharapova (in reverse order) are the two biggest earners in women’s tennis and the latter’s five grand slams make her the third-most successful active player, behind the American and her sister, Venus. The two players respect each other hugely for what they have achieved on and off the court and no one fights harder through adversity during matches than they do. Thursday’sclash will be another mental battle but Williams knows that if she is not on her game, Sharapova is good enough to beat her. It’s a big if.
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