F1 legend Lewis Hamilton is known to be a great admirer of tennis. The seven-time champion has a great bond with Serena Williams and has often been spotted playing tennis during the off-season.
The Mercedes driver recently met $240M worth tennis megastar Novak Djokovic, with the Serbian revealing their conversation and expressing his desire to play with Hamilton. Recently, a video of Djokovic getting a haircut surfaced online. As the tennis star was getting the trim, he recalled his meeting with Lewis Hamilton.
In a video posted by a user on X, the Serbian athlete said:
“I would like to try playing with Lewis Hamilton actually. A few days ago I met him for the first time ever. We were talking about different things and we offered him to have a little tennis session if he fancies it. He said ‘We should do it’ because he needs to work on his tennis game. He’s not happy with his tennis game, so I think I can help him with that a little bit.”
Novak Djokovic attended the 2024 Qatar GP and posted multiple snaps on his Instagram account from his visit to the paddock. The posts included pictures with George Russell, the Ferrari SF-24, the McLaren pit crew, and Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.
A video was also shared by Scuderia Ferrari’s Instagram handle as Djokovic warmed up with the Ferrari pit crew. The caption read, “Just training our newest pit crew member @djokernole”. Lewis Hamilton will also be joining forces with Ferrari for the 2025 season following his departure from Mercedes.
Qatar Airways invited Novak Djokovic to the 2024 Qatar GP as the Siberian recently signed a deal with the airline. On the other hand, Hamilton’s 2024 Qatar GP was one that the Brit would like to forget. The race was laden with penalties and pleas to retire the car. The seven-time champion struggled with the Mercedes throughout the weekend and complained about the same.
“I’ll get back up tomorrow”: Lewis Hamilton on recuperating from the 2024 Qatar GP setback
Lewis Hamilton was disheartened following the Sprint qualifying in Qatar as the Brit admitted that he’s not fast anymore. The Mercedes driver jumped the start as he lined up P6 and was given a 5-second penalty for the same. Midway through the race, the Briton hit debris and punctured the front left tire. He somehow managed to drag the car into the pits.
During the safety car period that followed, Hamilton sped into the pits and was given a drive-through penalty. Frustration was clearly audible in his voice on the team radio comms with pleas to retire the car. However, the Mercedes driver continued, made up 12 seconds within 7 laps, and overtook 3 cars to finish P12.
Hamilton will go into next week’s 2024 Abu Dhabi GP with a positive mindset as he said (via Formula1.com):
“I’m still standing, it’s not how you fall, it’s how you get back up, so I’ll get back up tomorrow and give it another shot next week. I think what’s important is that we turn up and give it our best shot.”
The Abu Dhabi GP will also be Lewis Hamilton’s last race with Mercedes. The duo’s successful 12-year-long partnership since 2013 will come to an end next week.