EMMA RADUCANU has revealed “role model” Lewis Hamilton has helped her deal with her newfound pressure and fame.
The tennis star, 19, has seen her status skyrocket since winning the US Open in September.
And Hamilton, who also rose to fame at a young age after winning the Formula One Championship in 2008 at the age of 23, has offered words of advice to Raducanu.
Speaking after playing at the Royal Albert Hall, Raducanu said: “He’s just been really cool in helping me.
“He said: ‘Be patient, you’ve just got to ride the wave. It’s all good. Don’t worry.’ Good reassurance.
“He has been such a good role model for me in terms of helping me out through the next stage. He’s a really cool guy.”
Raducanu is a big F1 fan having competed in motorsports as a youngster.
And she is backing Hamilton to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year, despite being a favourite for the award herself.
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She said: “The BBC Awards are something that’s so far out of the realms of possibility for me to win. I’m rooting for Lewis in the race.”
Raducanu and Hamilton, 36, met at the glitzy Met Gala Ball in New York in September shortly after her incredible Slam victory at Flushing Meadows.
Raducanu’s appearance in the Champions Tennis Exhibition at the Royal Albert Hall was her first return to a UK court since that famous win, and she appeared to enjoy beating training partner Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 7-6.
