Cam Norrie able to rewrite Wimbledon historical past as Andy Murray warning made
Cam Norrie feels he’s in a fair higher place along with his recreation than he was 12 months in the past heading into Wimbledon when he reached the semi-finals with hopes of turning into simply the second British male participant to succeed in the lads’s singles remaining within the Open period. Norrie got here of age final yr when he launched into a dream run at SW19, lastly dwelling as much as his excessive expectations.
Novak Djokovic proved an excessive amount of for Norrie in the long run, however the proof was lastly there that Norrie was capable of go deep at a slam and compete on the highest degree. That was at all times the query mark for Norrie heading into majors as he had beforehand didn’t get previous the third spherical.
But, for all of Norrie’s success finally yr’s Wimbledon, he is had a tough time constructing on that, shedding within the third spherical of each the Australian Open and Rolan Garros. His troublesome knee has continued to trigger him issues of late, shedding to Sebastian Korda at Queen’s in straight units.
But Norrie is clearly nonetheless driving on the crest wave of his 2022 Wimbledon run and has all the religion he might go one higher on this yr’s match. “It was huge for me last year and I need to take a lot of confidence knowing that I can play well on the grass,” Norrie stated.
“It’s been a bit disappointing the last few months, but that’s tennis and it just makes it more special if I do have a deep run again. I’ll definitely use those feelings from last year and try to put them into this year and knowing that I can do it is a big part.
“Playing lots of matches within the Grand Slam, some deeper, and from final yr I can use that have to my benefit. Plenty of the youthful gamers have not performed too many matches on the grass so going to be an attention-grabbing Wimbledon for certain and I’m wanting ahead to the way it goes. With lots of the Next Gen not enjoying lots on the grass, a great alternative for me.”
He added: “I’d say I’m hitting the ball higher than I used to be this time final yr stepping into. That’s at all times good nevertheless it would not at all times imply lots and I had sort of comparable preparation than final yr. I believe I had three matches – one in Queen’s and two in Eastbourne earlier than final yr’s run.
“I think I’m exactly where I need to be and all the preparation with my team has been great the last few weeks and I definitely feel like I turned the corner mentally and physically from the clay so I’m excited and ready to go.”
The Wimbledon draw takes place tomorrow with Norrie seeded No 12 whereas Andy Murray simply missed out. It means Murray might find yourself dealing with his compatriot in a mouthwatering first-round tie and Norrie is aware of the three-time main winner might be an enormous menace for anybody he comes up towards.
When requested whether or not he’d preferred to face Murray early on, Norrie stated: “It will be nice to play him. Let’s see what happens in the draw. I’m really excited to play and I think he’s definitely a big threat for one of the first round matches.”