British No.1 Cameron Norrie has insisted that he is on track for Wimbledon despite being seen on the court wearing strapping around his knee.
Norrie, who reached the semi-finals of the grasscourt major last year, first started to wear support under his left knee during last week’s Cinch Championships at Queen’s. At the tournament, he reached the quarter-finals before losing to Sebastian Korda in straight sets.
More recently he has been playing at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic at Hurlingham which is an exhibition event. In his opening match, he defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 3-6, 10-6. Then on Thursday, he beat Serbia’s Laslo Djere 6-3, 6-2.
“I’m able to practise as usual. Having some bigger days earlier in the week and then to get these matches has been great. I’m doing everything that I can to manage it,” Norrie said of his physical issue after beating Djere.
“I think the most important thing is just to go out there and just to put it aside. I’m going to have some discomfort at some points and that’s how it’s going to be.
“I felt really good today and I had a great performance. I’m exactly where I want to be. It’s good preparation having the matches at Queen’s and here. It’s my favourite time of year. I’m really enjoying my tennis and I’m hitting the ball I think as well as ever.”
After being in the shadows of two-time Wimbledon winner Andy Murray, Norrie was the centre of attention in his home country 12 months ago with his run to the last four of his home Grand Slam. Scoring wins over Tommy Paul and David Goffin, he was stopped in his tracks by the formidable Novak Djokovic. Although he did take a set off the Serbian in their clash.
As a result of his run, the expectations are high for Norrie to produce another strong showing at Wimbledon. There will be a lot of pressure on the 27-year-old who says he is ready to embrace it.
“This is exactly where I want to be and I’m going to have to get used to it even more if I want to get better,” he recently said.
“If you’re going to be not embracing all of it, it’s going to come and eat you alive. All I can ask from myself is to do my best. I have to go out and enjoy the experience of playing at Wimbledon and playing in front of my home crowd because it only happens once a year.”
So far this season the world No.13 has won 31 out of 43 matches played with his best result being at the Rio Open where he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final to claim his fifth ATP title. He was also runner-up at tournaments in Auckland and Buenos Aires.
This year will be Norrie’s sixth appearance in the main draw at Wimbledon.
