An 11-year-old member of Tavistock Tennis Club brushed shoulders with tennis royalty last week as he serendipitously met 2019 Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic on the way to the championships.

Lewis Critchley and mum Linda were walking towards the All England Tennis Club, excited to have secured tickets to watch the men’s singles semi-finals, when they realised defending champion Novak Djokovic was walking behind them, carrying his tennis bag.

Linda said: ‘He was very kind, he smiled, stopped next to us, patiently waited for us to find a pen and a ball! He asked if Lewis enjoyed playing tennis and posed for a photo. He was very chilled and relaxed, said thank you and walked into Wimbledon. We were stunned!

‘To meet him is such a way was so unexpected. Lewis’s face says it all! We were both overwhelmed by this fluke meeting and his genuine kindness. Who would have expected the number one seed — and eventual winner — to be strolling down the road alone?’

Lewis, who is ranked 13 in the county for his age group in tennis and represents Tavistock Tennis Club in the Plymouth and District League, then got to enjoy watching Djokovic beat Roberto Bautista Agut and Roger Federer overcome Rafael Nadal on Centre Court.