Maria Sharapova has shared some insight into her relationship with Serena Williams.

The Russian and 23-time Grand Slam champion battled numerous times throughout their long and storied tennis careers.

Their rivalry helped set a new standard in women’s tennis and their matches are fondly remembered by those within the tennis world.

It appeared that there was no love lost between the two throughout their playing days but any doubts about their relationship have been put to rest.

In her 2017 autobiography titled “Unstoppable: My Life So Far”, Sharapova wrote that she was not friends with Serena and sister Venus.

But in 2021 the trio met one another at the Met Gala and took a photo together which was later uploaded to social media.

Sharapova saw the Williams Sisters again at the 2024 Met Gala and told Tennis Channel that she now laughs with Serena about their careers over the phone.

“Now we get to reflect on the past and have a good laugh about it,” the five-time Grand Slam champion said.

“She has two kids now and also an incredibly strong business platform. We have a lot of fun, we have good chats on our phones.”

Of their 22 career meetings, Sharapova defeated Williams just twice, and one of those victories came at Wimbledon. In what was just their second overall meeting, Sharapova faced Serena in the 2004 final at just 17 years of age.

Williams was the top seed and was one match away from claiming the grass court major for the third successive year.

Despite being a massive underdog heading into the match, Sharapova claimed a stunning 6-1, 6-4 win to become the third-youngest woman to win Wimbledon.

Her second and final victory over Williams came at the Tour Championships final later in 2004, when Sharapova came from a set down to win  4-6, 6-2, 6-4.