For those who do not follow the men’s Tour week-by-week they may be unaware that Cameron Norrie has won more matches in 2021 than Novak Djokovic.
The 26-year-old Brit has enjoyed a breakthrough season on the Tour where he has reached no less than five ATP Finals, winning his first title at the Los Cabos Open in Mexico. A former top 10 junior player and No.1 collegiate player at the Texas Christian University, Norrie has reached the third round at three out of four Grand Slams this season. To put that into perspective, before this year he had only ever done so once in his career. 2021 is also the first year Norrie has recorded multiple wins over top 10 opponents after beating Dominic Thiem in Lyon and Andrey Rublev in San Diego.
Given Norrie’s recent surge and consistency, his run at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells this week isn’t as surprising as some might think. Seeded 21st in the draw, he thrashed a lacklustre Diego Schwartzman 6-0, 6-2, on Thursday. Prior to the clash, he described the match as ‘the biggest of his career leading in’ and with good reason too. The win has resulted in no fewer than three new milestones. Through to the semi-finals of a Masters tournament for the first time, he will make his top 20 debut next week and overtake Dan Evans to become British No.1 for the first time.
“It was never really a goal of mine, but it’s definitely a great bonus to be British No. 1,” Norrie said during his press conference.
“I want to keep pushing. I think I’ve got a lot of things to improve on, but I think it’s one of those things you’ve got to enjoy.’
“Yeah, it’s nice to show some of the hard work from Facu (his coach) and I that have been putting in over the last kind of five years after college. It’s showing, and it’s been a lot of fun.”
Norrie is guided on the Tour by coach Facundo Lugones who have known him since school. Lugones was set to work in the finance industry following his studies at Texas Christian University but ended up travelling with Norrie on the Tour back in 2017 and has done so ever since.
“He’s so passionate about tennis. He’s given 120% every day. He takes care of all the little details, everything, so he’s a phenomenal coach,” Norrie commented.
“He’s always willing to learn and listen to others. He’s great friends with a lot of the other Argentinian coaches who have a lot of experience and played on the tour. Great coaches, as well. So he’s around the best guys in the world, and he’s listening to what they are saying.’
“It’s cool because every time I do something for the first time, he’s doing it, as well. So it’s cool to do it together. He brings a lot. He offers a lot of help, and he’s a great guy altogether.”
The next task for the soon to be British No.1 is a showdown with Grigor Dimitrov in Indian Wells. The Bulgarian is a former world No.3 player who has been producing some of his best tennis in recent days. After knocking out top seed Daniil Medvedev, he saw off Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in three sets on Thursday. In both of those matches Dimitrov had to come from behind to win.
“I’m just really pleased to be playing my best level at these bigger events,” said Norrie. “I’m just enjoying the process and enjoying playing the bigger matches. There is always going to be a bigger match and a bigger opportunity. I was just happy with how I handled myself in terms of the situation.”
Should Norrie beat Dimitrov on Saturday he would become the fourth British man to reach a final in Indian Wells. Following in the footsteps of Greg Rusedski, Tim Henman and Andy Murray.
