What is the definition of a sporting rivalry? If it’s 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’ssemi-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.