Cameron Norrie He had two mystical moments at Wimbledon. Both were played on Center Court, one of the most respected venues in the sport.
The first happened in 2021, when the eight-time champion’s final Wimbledon, and final singles tournament of his career, Norrie faced Roger Federer.
“It was surreal to play with Roger on Center Court at Wimbledon with home fans,” said Britain’s Norrie. He had a chance to break serve to take the match to the fifth set, but lost 6-4, 6-4, 5-7. 6-4. “Obviously they love him there too. I think they supported him more than they supported me that day.”
The second moment came last year when Norrie reached his first major semifinal at Wimbledon. He became the fourth British player to reach the semi-finals of the Open era, joining Roger Taylor, Tim Henman and two-time champion Andy Murray.
Murray won in 2016 when he was ranked No. 2 in the world. He is the last Englishman to compete in this tournament. This year, Norrie will be at Wimbledon as a singles stop for his country.
“I’m Britain’s No. 1 so there was already hope that I could do well,” said the 27-year-old, who won the first set against Novak Djokovic after losing in four sets last year. “Obviously you feel a lot of pressure, but the only way to get in there is to accept it all. ”
Norrie, who is currently ranked 13th after a career-high No. 8 last year, has already beaten Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz this year before defeating them to clinch the clay-court title in Rio de Janeiro in February. bottom. . Last year, he also won the Tennis Professionals Association tournament twice.
Norrie was ranked 10th in the world as a junior player. But instead of turning pro, he chose to go to college. Texas Christian University.there he met Facundo Lugones He was Norrie’s senior when he was a freshman. The two often exchanged side glances as they defeated their respective opponents. they became close friends. Currently, Lugones is Norry’s coach.
“College was very valuable to me and I enjoyed it very much,” said Ms. Norrie. “You have to sacrifice a lot as a tennis player and it’s not a normal life. I wasn’t ready for this lifestyle when I was 18. I made a lot of mistakes in college. But it doesn’t cost much, I enjoyed it more than I should have, and if I had done that on tour, I wouldn’t have been ranked anywhere.”
Norrie admits to lacking discipline when it came to sports in his freshman year of college. He was late to practice, stripped of his team’s uniform and unable to give his best. A few losses indoors dropped him from No. 1 to No. 3 in the lineup.
Lugones said the coach gave him an ultimatum when he came back in sophomore year. “Then I realized he was another player,” Lugones said.
Norrie’s strength on the court is his ability to compete on any surface and fight to the finish. He’s left-handed, which helps him hit his signature shot, a short backhand that’s low and flat off the right side of the court.
“He reminds me a little of the left-handed version of humans. David Ferrer,” Said Jim Courier“He’s very hard to beat, doesn’t tire, and doesn’t often beat himself.”
nolly bought rage Djokovic’s mighty short overhead shot in Rome in May took aim, hitting him in the leg just as he turned his back. Norrie apologized at the time, but he has no regrets about his shot.
“I wanted to win,” said Norrie after losing in the straight sets. ‘It was a great moment to break out’ [serve], had tried everything. I was competing with all my might. “
Lugones said Nory’s greatest strength is his mind games.
“His mental skills are unlike any other,” Lugones said. “He smells blood early on and then levels up. You can’t teach that skill.”
