Cameron Norrie has had two mystical moments at Wimbledon. Each came about on Centre Court docket, probably the most revered venue within the sport.
The primary occurred in 2021 when Norrie confronted Roger Federer in what turned out to be the eight-time champion’s final Wimbledon and the ultimate singles event of his profession.
“Taking part in Roger on Centre Court docket at Wimbledon with my residence followers there was surreal,” mentioned Norrie of Britain, who had probabilities to interrupt serve and ship the match right into a fifth set earlier than shedding 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. “Clearly they love him there as nicely. I feel they supported him greater than they supported me that day.”
The second second occurred final 12 months, when Norrie reached his first main semifinal at Wimbledon. He turned solely the fourth British man within the open period — behind Roger Taylor, Tim Henman and the two-time champion Andy Murray — to succeed in the semifinals there.
Murray received in 2016 when he was ranked No. 2 on the planet; he’s the final British man to have taken the event. This 12 months, Norrie will probably be taking part in Wimbledon as his nation’s top-ranked singles participant.
“There was already expectation to do nicely as a result of I’m the British No. 1,” mentioned Norrie, 27, who received the primary set from Novak Djokovic earlier than falling in 4 units final 12 months. “Clearly you’re feeling plenty of strain. However the one method to go in is to embrace all of that. In case you simply run and conceal from it, you’re going to get eaten alive on the court docket.”
Norrie, who was ranked a career-high No. 8 final 12 months and now sits at No. 13, already has wins this 12 months over Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, whom he upset to win a clay-court title in Rio de Janeiro in February. Final 12 months, he additionally received two Affiliation of Tennis Professionals tournaments.
As a junior participant, Norrie was ranked No. 10 on the planet. However as an alternative of turning professional, he opted to go to varsity at Texas Christian College. There he met Facundo Lugones, who was a senior when Norrie was a freshman. The 2 would usually share sideways glances as they destroyed their respective opponents. They turned shut pals. Now, Lugones is Norrie’s coach.
“Faculty was so helpful and a lot enjoyable for me,” Norrie mentioned. “As a tennis participant, it’s important to sacrifice quite a bit, and it’s not a standard life. I wasn’t prepared for this way of life once I was 18 years previous. I made plenty of errors at school that don’t actually value you a lot. I loved myself greater than I ought to have. If I used to be doing that on tour, I might be ranked nowhere.”
Norrie admits to being undisciplined within the sport throughout his first 12 months at school. He confirmed up late for apply, scrapped his crew uniform and didn’t give all of his effort. Just a few indoor losses triggered him to be dropped within the lineup from No. 1 to No. 3.
Lugones mentioned the coaches gave Norrie an ultimatum when he got here again his sophomore 12 months. “After that, you possibly can inform he was a special participant,” Lugones mentioned.
Norrie’s on-court power is his means to compete on all surfaces and to battle till the tip. He’s left-handed, which aids him in hitting his favourite shot: a low, flat, quick backhand from the correct facet of the court docket.
“He jogs my memory a bit little bit of a left-handed model of David Ferrer,” mentioned Jim Courier, a former world No. 1. “He’s very tough to beat, doesn’t get drained and doesn’t beat himself usually.”
Norrie earned the ire of Djokovic in Rome in Could by taking intention on a robust quick overhead shot and hitting Djokovic within the leg when his again was turned. Whereas Norrie apologized on the time, he has no regrets in regards to the shot.
“I needed to win,” mentioned Norrie, who misplaced the match in straight units. “It was within the warmth of the second for me to interrupt [serve], and I used to be attempting every thing. I used to be competing as arduous as I may.”
Lugones mentioned Norrie’s best power is his thoughts sport.
“His psychological expertise are completely different from everyone else’s,” Lugones mentioned. “He smells blood early after which raises his stage. You’ll be able to’t educate that talent.”
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