Lewis Hamilton pays tribute to Serena Williams as she announces retirement

Formula One star Lewis Hamilton has paid tribute to Serena Williams after the tennis legend announced her retirement.

Williams announced in an emotional article for Vogue that she would be “evolving away from tennis”.

Purposefully avoiding the word “retirement”, the 23-Grand Slam winner said she would be moving towards “other things that are important to me”.

Her transition from tennis, which is expected to begin after the US Open, has sparked an outpouring of emotion from fans and fellow sportspeople.

This includes Hamilton, the seven-time F1 world champion, who is a good friend of Williams.

He reacted to the announcement on Instagram, writing: “Such an Icon!! Queen!! GOAT!! We love you @serenawilliams”.

Williams has previously said that she and Hamilton are “super close” and “best friends”.

serena williams and sir lewis hamilton, the goats