Maria Sharapova's legacy in tennis is undeniable. With five Grand Slam titles and appearances in five more finals, she carved her name among the WTA Tour's elite. She achieved the rare career Grand Slam, winning Wimbledon, the US Open, the Australian Open, and the French Open—which she conquered twice.

In 2022, Sports Illustrated asked Sharapova to name her Mount Rushmore of women's tennis icons. Her picks offer a fascinating glimpse into the players who shaped her journey.

Sharapova started with an obvious choice: Serena Williams. It was fitting, as Williams herself inducted Sharapova into the Hall of Fame last year. Their rivalry began in 2004 when a 17-year-old Sharapova stunned Williams 6-1, 6-4 in the Wimbledon final—a match that launched Sharapova into stardom.

"I had a front row seat to Serena's greatness," Sharapova said. "Starting at the very beginning, where she kicked my a—, and finishing at the very end, where she kicked my a— many more times. We all know the stats. We all know the numbers of majors. But being across the net… her accuracy on the serve is the greatest. She has the greatest serve of anyone."

Sharapova marveled at Williams' consistency under pressure. "Her toss is in the same place every single time. Usually with players on break point, they're a little nervous. Same place every time. And it's not even about power—after 110 miles an hour in women's tennis, 120 doesn't matter. It's so accurately placed on the biggest points. That's the biggest difference. It's all about the little margins. You feel it. First point of every set, she's serving wide. It doesn't matter because the serve is so good. Even though you know it's going there, it doesn't matter. I got to experience that greatness every single time."

Sharapova's reflections remind us that true greatness isn't just about winning—it's about the precision, consistency, and mental fortitude that define champions. For fans looking to channel that same spirit on the court, the right gear can make all the difference.