Formula One champion said that he is only proud of Serena, who fought on the day like a champion she always is. Serena’s reaction certainly touched seven-time Formula One champion and dear friend Lewis Hamilton, who wrote on his Instagram that he is only proud of Serena, who fought on the day like a champion she always is.
American tennis great Serena Williams couldn’t hold her tears back on Thursday and ended her press conference abruptly after her defeat to Naomi Osaka in the semi-finals of the 2021 Australian Open.
The defeat continued her never-ending her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title and was her second consecutive semi-final exit in a major tournament. Williams, 39, waved at the crowd and put her hand on her heart before leaving the Rod Laver Arena after the match which she lost 6-3, 6-4. When asked if this was an indication that she was bidding farewell to the Australian Open, Williams responded with a smile: “I don’t know… if I ever say farewell I wouldn’t really tell anyone.”
Her reaction certainly touched seven-time Formula One champion and dear friend Lewis Hamilton, who wrote on his Instagram that he is only proud of Serena, who fought on the day like a champion she always is. “I’m so proud of you, you fought like the champ you are and continue to inspire so many including me with your fighting spirit and your humility,” he wrote.
Serena Williams shares a close-knit bond with F1 driver, Lewis Hamilton. The tennis sensation and her friend, who has a similar stature of greatness in the field of motorsports, frequently pay tribute to each other on their respective social media platforms.
Naturally, when Hamilton got to an unheralded landmark today, Serena wasn’t going to miss out on the opportunity to send her best wishes. The Mercedes driver notched his 100th career pole position at the 2021 Spanish GP.
He is the first driver to ever achieve this feat in the history of F1. Serena congratulated him through her Instagram Stories. Alongside a poster of the driver, she wrote – “Congrats @LewisHamilton on making 100 Poles!!”
Serena Williams admires the ‘champion’s mindset’ of Lewis Hamilton
The 23-time Grand Slam champion has previously attended a few F1 races to support Lewis Hamilton. She believes that he’s the numero uno of motorsports – “He is for me the greatest driver that our generation has seen.”
The two of them share an interpersonal connection. Her achievements, on and off the court, have always inspired Hamilton. On the other hand, Serena’s been motivated by his mental and physical preparation.
“Lewis and I are super close. I’ve known him for years. I love that guy. He’s a really good friend of mine. The guy is such a champion, has such a champion’s mindset. I look at what he does training, physically, his job, it’s really no words for it, to be honest,” Williams had said last year.
It is not the first time she’s acknowledged Hamilton’s statistical milestones either. She previously backed him to break the Grand prix win record of Michael Schumacher. Also, the Briton wears his heart on his sleeve; something that resonates with Serena.