Lewis Hamilton urges Serena Williams to return to tennis

Lewis Hamilton has voiced his support for a potential tennis comeback by his close friend Serena Williams, calling the retired champion the "greatest of all time" and urging her to return to the sport. The seven-time F1 world champion's comments add fuel to ongoing rumors about Williams's future, despite her own attempts to quash the speculation.

Why it matters:

The friendship between two of the most iconic athletes of their generation bridges the worlds of motorsport and tennis, highlighting their mutual respect and influence. Hamilton's public endorsement underscores the significant cultural impact Williams has had, not just as a champion but as an inspiration to athletes across all sports.

The details:

• Hamilton was directly asked about the rumors of Williams's potential return and responded enthusiastically, stating, "I'd love to. I keep telling her to come back."
• He emphasized his personal admiration, calling Williams a "dear friend" and stating he is "really honoured" to know her.
• The rumors were sparked after Williams re-entered the tennis anti-doping testing pool, a necessary step for any athlete planning a competitive return.
• Williams herself has attempted to stop the speculation, posting on social media, "Omg, y'all I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy-".

The big picture:

Hamilton has long been a vocal supporter of Williams. When she announced her retirement in September 2022, he paid an extensive tribute on social media, recalling how watching Serena and her sister Venus dominate tennis gave him "hope" as a young Black athlete. He credited them with making him "believe that superheroes are real, and they can look like me and my family." This latest public encouragement reinforces the deep personal and inspirational bond between the two legends, transcending their individual sporting achievements.