Latest news with #CamNorrie
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Novak Djokovic jokes his French Open quarter-final opponent Alexander Zverev was SPYING on him as he thrashed Cameron Norrie
Novak Djokovic aimed a lighthearted joke at his French Open quarter-final opponent Alexander Zverev on social media ahead of their meeting on Wednesday evening. The Serbian serial champion is eyeing a historic 25th Grand Slam title that would nose him ahead of long-term record-breaker Margaret Court, with whom he is currently tied on 24 majors. Djokovic has moved mostly untroubled through the Roland-Garros draw to date, beating all four of his opponents in the preceding rounds in straight sets in his first Grand Slam appearance since splitting for his coach and former rival Andy Murray. The 38-year-old's most significant thrashing broke British hearts on Monday afternoon, with Djokovic besting Cam Norrie 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The former British No1 was powerless in the face of Djokovic's onslaught in an anti-climatic end to a showing in Paris which the Briton started with a statement win against the number-11 seed Daniil Medvedev. Djokovic and Zverev, who featured in last year's final against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and is seeded third this fortnight, last met at a Grand Slam earlier this year - when Djokovic was forced to retire before the second set due to injury. Having therefore experienced little of Djokovic's matchplay in 2025, Zverev stood accused of having made his way to Roland-Garros' showcourt to pick up some tips while the Serbian was playing Norrie. Zverev had shared a picture of himself posing with the Champions League trophy on social media, shortly after the cup had been presented to the stadium by player of the tournament and Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele. Djokovic was quick to posit the photo opportunity as a smokescreen, commenting under the picture: 'Tell the truth. You were there because you were spying on my game. 'Seeing the trophy was just an excuse (laugh-crying emoji).' Both Djokovic and Zverev are football fans, with the German an avid follower of Bayern Munich, the absent hosts of Saturday's final. His opponent will have even happier with the result of the clash as a supporter of AC Milan, the loathed rivals of PSG's opponents Inter Milan. Djokovic had previously voiced his eagerness to take in the final, but was scheduled to play the French Open's night session for his third-round tie against Filip Misolic instead. The player instead found himself caught up in the chaotic aftermath in the French capital, as thousands of PSG fans took to the streets for both raucous celebrations and - for a small minority - wreaking havoc, looting, and setting fire to cars. Djokovic - an AC Milan fan - will have been in high spirits after the win and booking his fourth-round spot on Saturday But the 24-time Grand Slam champion admitted that Saturday evening's win had come with security risks for the players returning to the city centre 'I want to thank the chief of security who isn't here but he was amazing with his team,' Djokovic shared in the aftermath of his match against Norrie. 'At one point people were quite tense here, for our return to the hotel, they were not suggesting at one point we go back to the hotel at all. To maybe find a place to sleep somewhere around here for a night. 'Because at that point it was past midnight and there were some gas bombs and cars on fire, stuff happening on the street that was really dangerous. Actually everything around our hotel which is close to Arc de Triomphe. In the end we talked and waited for a bit. 'Then we decided to go, it was fine. We reached the hotel all good. But it was quite noisy with a lot of things happening outside of the hotel. It's interesting in some way to look through your window what's happening. At some point it was getting out of hand. 'But it's understandable that people are so excited. First time Champions League winners for this city. It's one of the most important cities in the world. They're all celebrating. They still go. It's gonna be several days I'm sure of celebration.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Cam Norrie's French Open run ends after Novak Djokovic thumps Brit in straight sets to set up mouth-watering quarter-final after 100th Roland Garros win
It turns out 7/10 tennis does not cut it against the greatest player of all time. Cam Norrie 's superb run at the French Open was ended in the fourth round by Novak Djokovic, to the tune of 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. For the Serb, a 100th match win here in Paris to set up what promises to be an epic quarter-final against No 3 seed Alexander Zverev. For Norrie, a deeply disappointing, anti-climactic end to the fortnight. For a warrior like him, to win just seven games will hurt. Before this match, Norrie assessed his own form as 'Vintage Norrie: 7/10 tennis.' He knew that would not cut the Dijon against Djokovic, though, and as is often the case in sport, in striving for 9/10 he ended up closer to a five. It is six defeats from six now against Djokovic: he simply does not have the weapons to pierce his defences. Mind you, we said that about his match-up with Daniil Medvedev, and Norrie got a first ever win against him in the opening round — maybe he'll get the old master eventually. Djokovic beat Norrie in Geneva en route to his 100th career title last month; will this latest win be a stepping stone to the big one, Grand Slam title No25? Zverev, who advanced via the second-set retirement of Tallon Griekspoor, will have something to say about that, but Djokovic has not lost a match here since 2022 — a knee injury ending his participation last year. These two have broadly similar approaches and the result was not the most free-flowing tennis. Both are natural counterpunchers, happier allowing the opponent to make mistakes rather than striking out themselves. Early in the match, then, there was an element of feeling each other out. Djokovic was content to stroke the ball around and use the drop shot as his main - almost his only - offensive weapon. After five games he had hit one winner and six drop shots. At 5-2 Djokovic received some treatment to the blistered feet which have been bothering him this fortnight. And he did seems to be moving more gingerly as he made an error-strewn beginning to the second set, donating an early break. This was Norrie's opening. His greatest attribute is his fitness, developed by competing in cross-country as a schoolboy in New Zealand, honed by running the hills of Auckland with his Welsh mum in lockdown. If he could drag a near 40-year-old man with blistered feet into a purely physical battle, surely he had a chance. Djokovic could sense this, of course - on a tennis court he is all knowing, all seeing - and he ramped up the aggression, shortening the points. Freeing up his arms, he struck 15 winners in the set compared to just four in the first. At 3-4 it was Norrie's turn to receive pedestrian attention, and it looked a little more serious than blisters, as the physio stretched out his left foot. His movement did not look especially hampered, but whatever the reason he faded badly thereafter. A sad end to what may yet turn out to be a transformational tournament for Norrie. After a horrible 2024, at the age of 29, he needed a run like this very badly indeed. If he can carry this form into the British summer, then a summer of the Indian variety could result.
Washington Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Novak Djokovic earns his 100th career French Open victory by overwhelming Cam Norrie
PARIS — Novak Djokovic earned his 100th career French Open victory, a mark surpassed among men only by Rafael Nadal, by overwhelming Cam Norrie 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in the fourth round Monday. Djokovic hasn't ceded a set on his way to the quarterfinals this year at Roland-Garros, where he has won three of his 24 Grand Slam titles.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Cam Norrie admits he could call Andy Murray as part of his masterplan to take on Novak Djokovic - as British No 3 prepares to 'suffer' at Roland Garros
It may no longer be the biggest test in tennis, but it is still pretty big. As British No 3 Cam Norrie prepares to face Novak Djokovic in the fourth round of the French Open, is he tempted to ring up his former colleague Andy Murray - the man who got the better of the Serb 11 times and then coached him? 'Andy and I play pretty different tennis but, honestly, it's not a bad suggestion,' acknowledged Norrie. 'Could be a good option.' Norrie's resurgence has been one of the most pleasing storylines of the fortnight. At the age of 29 and the rank of 82nd in the world, it looked like his best days had passed - but he has made the last 16 here for the first time. Norrie found a nice blend of self-congratulation and self-deprecation as he described his form so far. 'Vintage Norrie tennis: playing seven out of 10 for three and a half hours or as long as I needed,' he said with a grin. But will seven out of 10 be enough to beat the best player of all time? 'It's not going to cut it!' admitted Norrie, who has lost all five previous meetings with Djokovic, most recently a three-set defeat in the Geneva semi-final. 'I'm going to have to really push the limits. Play with quality on both sides. Serve well. Return well. Keep pushing him, keep making him feel uncomfortable. I'm going to have to suffer.' Norrie delivered that last line with a masochistic relish and that will stand him in good stead. Five years ago it was foolish to engage Djokovic in a physical battle. But he is 38 now, and Norrie could have the edge if the contest goes the distance. This is probably Norrie's biggest match since the 2022 Wimbledon semi-final, when he lost in four sets... to Djokovic. Can he get him this time? Norrie's countryman Jacob Fearnley was unequivocal when the question was put to him: 'If Cam believes he can win and he has a good day, 100 per cent he can beat Novak,' he said.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Why this may prove Cam Norrie's best chance to beat Novak Djokovic - and how he can make sure he plays at his best, writes LAURA ROBSON
What an exciting day, what an exciting time for British tennis. Let's start with Cam Norrie: can he beat Novak Djokovic for the first time? I asked John McEnroe this and he just said: 'No!' but I'm a little bit more hopeful. Watching Cam here this week, he just wants it so bad. He's had a tough year but the win against Daniil Medvedev in the first round has given him so much confidence, and he just looks like he has that belief back in his game. Of course, he's going to have to play one of the best matches of his life to beat Novak but when I spoke to Cam pre-tournament, he felt like he was playing better tennis now than when he was in the top 10. I liked what he said before playing Daniil. He said the last few times he played him he tried to be more aggressive, to play out of his comfort zone, and he realised it didn't work. He's going to play his best match when he feels most comfortable with his game style. As for Jack Draper, he might get a bit of everything against Alexander Bublik, a couple of underarm serves at key moments. In pure tennis terms though, Bublik is not to be underestimated. He can take the racket out of your hands, suddenly start teeing off and absolutely ripping every return of serve. Jack has bigger weapons, it's just whether he's going to have enough rhythm to use them. Norrie is also going to have to play one of the best matches of his life to down Djokovic Looking further ahead, I can't remember the last time I felt so positive about a grass-court season from a British point of view. To have three women pushing each other and wanting that British No 1 spot as if it's a coveted thing, rather than something you get by default if you're even in the top 100. And the fact Jack will be seeded No 4 or No 5 and in contention for the Wimbledon title is so exciting. The hype around him over the next few weeks is going to be different compared to previous years. But if anyone can handle it, it's him.
