F1 superstar Charles Leclerc makes visit to Monte-Carlo Masters, interacts with Hubert Hurkacz
Hubert Hurkacz was recently seen interacting with Ferrari ace Charles Leclerc during his time at the Monte-Carlo Masters.
The World No. 12 is currently gearing up to make his fourth appearance at the ATP 1000 Monte-Carlo Masters. He'll be looking to improve on his quarterfinal run from last year, where he fell short against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in a three-set bout.
With one day to go for the action to get underway, Hurkacz was spotted exchanging a few words with compatriot Leclerc, who visited the Monte Carlo Country Club over the weekend.
charles today in monaco! 🇲🇨
📸 rnbyhippo22 https://t.co/36tWUmqFjQ
Leclerc, a Monocan national, is currently 10th in the F1 drivers standings for the 2023 season. He will next be participating at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place on April 28.
Hurkacz and Leclerc have previously interacted with each other while playing padel in 2021. The Pole has been a motorsport enthusiast since he was a child and always wished to collect mini models of the latest cars. He also spoke about gaining more interest in the exciting adrenaline sport after watching Netflix's docuseries about F1 -- 'Drive to Survive.'
“I would always ask my parents to get me another one. Since then I have loved cars. I really like motorsports and I love Formula 1. I began to follow every single race, qualifying. I really enjoyed watching it. It's such a big process to get the car ready for the race. There’s so much data, so many things involved. The drivers are just insane driving these machines that are so fast"
The 26-year-old also mentioned some of his favorite F1 drivers and included Leclerc on that list.
"I really love McLaren. A couple of weeks ago they had an amazing win. There’s of course Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. I also really like Charles Leclerc. I like most of the drivers, but I would say those are my favourites,” Hubert Hurkacz said in an interview with ATP.
Hubert Hurkacz to begin his campaign against Laslo Djere at the Monte-Carlo Masters
Hubert Hurkacz will square off against Laslo Djere in the first round of the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters on Monday. The duo have never faced each other on the main tour before and their head-to-head is locked at 0-0.
Both players will be entering the event on the back of early exits at Indian Wells and the Miami Open. Hurkacz also featured at the Estoril Open last week and succumbed to a disappointing first-round loss at the claycourt event. He'll be looking to make amends instantly in Monte-Carlo.
The winner of this tie could square off against either Jack Draper or Sebastian Baez in the second round.