Maria Sharapova recently revealed that she encouraged Serena Williams last year to make a comeback despite her injury troubles. Sharapova tried to convince the 23-time Grand Slam champion to return by saying she was much better than the level of competition currently on the WTA tour.The pair met at the Met Gala last year, where Sharapova told Williams that she owed it to herself to test her mettle against the current crop of players."We spoke about it at the net last year during this time of year and I said no disrespect to this generation but you are so much better and you need to go out there, so I’m glad that she had a chance here,” Sharapova said.Erik Gudris@ATNtennisWe spoke about it at the net last year during this time of year and I said no disrespect to this generation but you are so much better and you need to go out there, so I’m glad that she had a chance here.” - Maria Sharapova on ESPN.73We spoke about it at the net last year during this time of year and I said no disrespect to this generation but you are so much better and you need to go out there, so I’m glad that she had a chance here.” - Maria Sharapova on ESPN.With Sharapova's words making the rounds on social media, tennis fans were quick to react, with some agreeing and others not. One said that her statement made them a fan of the former World No. 1, despite Sharapova's doping-related offenses."What is this ?? Her positive doping test is now wiped from her record ?? Sharapova showing respect to the Queen has now made me love her," the fan said.B r i a n 🇵🇸 🇺🇦@brian_arbeloaWhat is this ?? Her positive doping test is now wiped from her record ?? Sharapova showing respect to the Queen has now made me love her. twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Racquet@racquetmagazine“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. #USOpen163“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. 👀 #USOpenWhat is this ?? Her positive doping test is now wiped from her record ?? Sharapova showing respect to the Queen has now made me love her. twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Another fan said that they would be interested in seeing the current generation of players take on their predecessors."I would like to see this generation playing against 2012-2015 players. That would be a complete beatdown," the tweet read.Serena's snatched wig@Danidilo2I would like to see this generation playing against 2012-2015 players. That would be a complete beatdown. twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Racquet@racquetmagazine“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. #USOpen31“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. 👀 #USOpenI would like to see this generation playing against 2012-2015 players. That would be a complete beatdown. twitter.com/racquetmagazin…One user noted that Sharapova is best placed to give an opinion on this topic, as she has faced, and beaten, some of the best players of her generation."Sharapova knows about playing in tough generations. And also how to win in them," the fan said.Andrew Atkinson@atkinsonfashoSharapova knows about playing in tough generations. And also how to win in them. twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Racquet@racquetmagazine“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. #USOpen161“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. 👀 #USOpenSharapova knows about playing in tough generations. And also how to win in them. twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Not everyone was in favor of what Sharapova said though, with one fan noting that Serena Williams hadn't won a Grand Slam title in many years."Serena hasn't won a Grad Slam in almost seven years," the tweet read.Unacceptable Gregorio Tolani@Gregorio_Tolani@racquetmagazine Serena hasn't won a Grad Slam in almost seven years.1@racquetmagazine Serena hasn't won a Grad Slam in almost seven years.Here are some more fan reactions:Chi Mpundu@chi_mpunduSerena retired. The queen died. Sharapova and I are finally on the same page. The end times are near246Serena retired. The queen died. Sharapova and I are finally on the same page. The end times are nearAmélie 🫶🏽👸🏾🐐@likethemovie19@ATNtennis This is one of the most shocking and stirring endorsements for the wonders of motherhood as I’ve ever witnessed. Wow7@ATNtennis This is one of the most shocking and stirring endorsements for the wonders of motherhood as I’ve ever witnessed. WowKaiser@Celebitchy@KaiseratCBSharapova spilling nice tea about Serena live on espn?6Sharapova spilling nice tea about Serena live on espn?Carina Nebula-Jackson@ShannonShauntaeThat meeting in the ladies room was a summit twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Racquet@racquetmagazine“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. #USOpen32“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. 👀 #USOpenThat meeting in the ladies room was a summit twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Swagata@socorooopovaMy girl woke up , fed Theo and then chose to spill facts twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Racquet@racquetmagazine“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. #USOpen92“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. 👀 #USOpenMy girl woke up , fed Theo and then chose to spill facts twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Thomas Stirton@thomas_stirtonI like a lot of players from this generation but she’s right 🤷‍♂️ twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Racquet@racquetmagazine“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. #USOpen164“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. 👀 #USOpenI like a lot of players from this generation but she’s right 🤷‍♂️ twitter.com/racquetmagazin…krysalys ♪@krysalysonlineMAMA MELDONIUM SPILLING THE TRUTH BREW! twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Racquet@racquetmagazine“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. #USOpen464“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. 👀 #USOpenMAMA MELDONIUM SPILLING THE TRUTH BREW! twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Т🌴@tennisispainYOU DONT UNDERSTAND IM ON THE FLOOR LITERALLY twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Racquet@racquetmagazine“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. #USOpen464“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. 👀 #USOpenYOU DONT UNDERSTAND IM ON THE FLOOR LITERALLY twitter.com/racquetmagazin…サヤ@QuehnSayaHell has truly frzn over. Yall got me siding with Satan. twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Racquet@racquetmagazine“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. #USOpen82“No disrespect to this generation but you are so much better, you need to be out there,” Sharapova says she told Serena at the Met last year. 👀 #USOpenHell has truly frzn over. Yall got me siding with Satan. twitter.com/racquetmagazin…Serena Williams to walk away from professional tennis career following 2022 US Open 3R exitSerena Williams in action at the 2022 US Open.Serena Williams shocked the tennis world last month when she announced her plan to retire from the sport she had dominated for more than two decades. The US Open, her home Grand Slam, was the final tournament of her illustrious career.Williams entered New York this year with the world's eyes on her. Packed stadiums greeted her and cheered for every move she made. The American began her campaign with a 6-3, 6-3 defeat of Danka Kovinic. In the second round, World No. 2 Anett Kontaveit gave her a scare before going down 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-2.Up against Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round, Williams fought hard after losing the first set, taking the second via a tie-break. However, she ran out of steam in the decider, exiting the competition with a 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-1 loss.