Alex de Minaur, the world’s eighth-ranked tennis player, is gearing up for his third appearance at the prestigious Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this week. Before the tournament officially kicks off, the Australian star, known for his deep passion for cars, took a moment to indulge in another one of his favorite pastimes: high-speed driving. De Minaur recently traded in his beloved 1973 Mini 850 Deluxe for a sleek BMW M5 on the legendary Dubai Autodrome circuit, marking the start of his unique experience away from the tennis courts.
.jpeg)
This year, De Minaur arrives at the tournament with an impressive record, boasting 13 wins and only three losses, giving him considerable momentum. Joining him in this exciting motorsport adventure was his fellow tennis professional, Matteo Berrettini of Italy, currently ranked 30th in the world. The pair, both avid car enthusiasts, exchanged their tennis rackets for racing suits and shared a thrilling experience at one of Dubai's top motorsport and entertainment venues.
For De Minaur, this was his first time driving on a racetrack, and the excitement was palpable. As the number-one-ranked tennis player in Australia, he’s no stranger to intense competition, but racing on the track brought a new kind of adrenaline rush. The opportunity to test out the BMW M5, which boasts a powerful eight-cylinder engine with twin-turbocharging, left De Minaur exhilarated. During the test, the player reached an impressive top speed of 225 km/h, fully appreciating the car's performance capabilities. His passion for both classic and modern vehicles was evident, as he marveled at the power and handling of the car.
“Participating in this fantastic event was such a great experience,” De Minaur said after the drive. “I had an amazing coach who guided me through the process, allowing me to bring out the full potential of the car. It was incredibly fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.”
Berrettini, who also took part in the driving experience, shared his own excitement about stepping out of the tennis world for a while to explore something different. After driving side by side with De Minaur, he reflected on the fun and exhilarating nature of the experience. “We had the chance to try something totally new,” Berrettini explained. “It was a blast, and I spent some truly exciting moments with Alex. Though he was a bit nervous when I took the wheel, that’s all part of the thrill. We both love the world of speed, and this was a fantastic way to experience it.”
When asked about the possibility of a friendly competition on the racetrack in the future, De Minaur joked that they could only race each other if they each drove solo, attempting to set the fastest time. "Racing side by side would be far too dangerous," he laughed. “The best way to do it is to each take the car on our own and see who comes out on top."
Berrettini, who will also be in action in the Dubai tournament, added, “That’s probably the safest way to handle it, but we’d likely need some professional help.” The Italian tennis star, who is looking to extend his current winning streak to four matches when he faces France’s Gaël Monfils in his own round-of-32 match on Tuesday evening, couldn’t help but reflect on the camaraderie and fun shared with De Minaur during their motorsport adventure.
With the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships officially underway, both players are now shifting their focus back to the tennis court, where they aim to give their best performances. While their racing experience was full of excitement, both De Minaur and Berrettini are determined to bring the same level of enthusiasm and energy to their matches. As they transition from the race track to the tennis court, they’re ready to face their opponents with the same drive and passion that marked their exhilarating adventure in the wo
rld of speed.
0 comments:
Post a Comment