Serena Williams Reflects on Her Rivals: “I Respect Naomi Osaka — Sharapova Was Just Noise”

In a rare and candid moment, tennis icon Serena Williams has opened up about her most memorable rivals throughout her storied career — offering high praise for Naomi Osaka while delivering a sharp dismissal of longtime adversary Maria Sharapova.

During a recent interview on a podcast focused on the legacy of women in sports, Serena was asked about the opponents she respected the most — and those she didn’t.

“The player I truly respect is Naomi Osaka,” Serena said. “She brought intensity, humility, and intelligence to the court. Every match with her felt like a challenge worth rising to.”

Williams and Osaka have met four times on the professional circuit, splitting their matches 2–2. Their 2018 U.S. Open final remains one of the most talked-about matches in modern tennis history, not only for the quality of play but also for the controversial circumstances surrounding Serena’s penalties during the match. Despite the media storm that followed, both players have publicly shown mutual admiration and understanding.

Serena went on to reflect on Osaka’s evolution as a player and person. “She’s strong. On the court, off the court. She speaks up for what she believes in. I admire that. She’s the future — and honestly, part of the legacy I’m proud to leave behind.”

But the tone shifted noticeably when the conversation turned to Maria Sharapova, the Russian tennis star who was often portrayed as Serena’s main rival in the media — despite a lopsided head-to-head record favoring Serena 20–2.

“Sharapova?” Serena said with a smirk. “She was loud — in every sense. But to me, she was just noise. I never really paid attention to her.”

The blunt remark has ignited a wave of discussion across sports and social media platforms. While many fans are praising Serena for her honesty, others see the comment as reigniting an old rivalry that never truly settled.

Sharapova and Williams had a famously frosty relationship during their overlapping careers. Though Sharapova won their first encounter at Wimbledon in 2004, she never beat Serena again, losing 19 consecutive matches. Media coverage often amplified the tension between the two, both on and off the court, including in their public comments and autobiographies.

Tennis commentator Chris Evert weighed in on the remarks, saying, “It’s rare for Serena to speak this openly about her competitors. But it’s clear the respect she has for Naomi is real — and perhaps the lack of respect for Maria was always mutual.”

The tennis world has yet to hear a response from either Osaka or Sharapova. Osaka, known for her humility and grace, is likely to acknowledge the praise with quiet appreciation. Sharapova, now retired and focused on business ventures, has not commented on Serena’s statements as of this writing.

One thing is clear: even in retirement, Serena Williams continues to command attention, not just for her legacy, but for her bold and unapologetic voice. And as always, she speaks on her own terms.