Russell met this sports icon in the gym: 'He inspires me to know myself'

F1 News

george russell on friendship with djokovic: inspires me
14 August at 15:00
  • Ludo van Denderen

Many people worldwide idolise Formula 1 drivers, and the drivers themselves have their own idols. This includes George Russell, who is a great admirer of Novak Djokovic, one of the best tennis players of all time.

Meanwhile, the British F1 driver and the top Serbian tennis player, recent Olympic gold medal winner, are friends. Russell revealed this in a conversation with Reuters news agency. By chance, the Mercedes driver admits. Several years ago Russell bumped into Djokovic in the gym. They got talking and walked home together afterwards.

Russell admires Djokovic

Since then, both top athletes have been sharing ideas with each other. " We’ve shared ideas together and he’s been really open with me with things he’s trying and what’s working for him. We’re just talking, many different ideas. Physical and mental," said Russell, who would not elaborate further on the content of the conversations. "But I just really like how he’s constantly wanting to learn more and that inspires me to learn more about myself, what works for me, what works for them and pushing the boundaries."

Last month, Russell visited the Wimbledon final with his Spanish girlfriend, in which Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz. They had a rematch in the Paris Olympic Games final which Djokovic won.