I basically agree with you; I guess I'm just saying: "Meh."
Sharapova can say her truth, and I'm sure that day was
way bigger in her reality than Serena's. She can't
not talk about the day that launched her superstardom, or the woman that both "made her" and later crushed her time and again on the cour ( Lorderena giveth and taketh away).
I also think it's obvious that Serena brings a little something extra to her matches with Maria. She seems determined to not let her win again...that's why the matches are so tense even though the outcome is all but predetermined. You guys really don't think so? Maybe she didn't have to change her game, but she does intensify her focus, which is sometimes lacking when she plays a plays other players that she is friendly with or indifferent to. That's how it looks to me anyway.
Anyway, Serena is the best of 2-3 generations and she is in a completely different class than Maria. Great danes don't worry about chihuahuas yapping and nipping at their feet, other than as a minor annoyance (OK, Maria is more than a chihuahua for sure....miniature poodle or whippet maybe?). Nothing Maria says has any real impact on Serena, so who cares? If Serena doesn't even care, why should I?
I can't get mad at Maria for telling little story...I find it amusing. If it weren't for all the weird little personal digs over the years, their whole matchup would be super dull.
I have seen videos of Serena and Maria at events sitting next to each other and laughing and joking. If Serena could eventually be friends with Hingis

why not Maria?