British No 1? I plan to be world No 1, says Norrie

CAM NORRIE is trying not to think about it, but he is getting close to joining select company in notching half a century of ATP Tour victories this year. Since 2000, Tim Henman and Andy Murray are the only British players of either sex to reach the landmark, and Norrie is within sight on 41. He will inch nearer if he can beat American Tennys Sandgren in tonight’s second round of the BNP Paribas Open in the California desert. It may be Emma Raducanu and Murray who garner the most attention — both of them were due to play overnight — but it is the 26-year-old left-hander who has been delivering weekly consistency the most throughout 2021. Twelve months ago Norrie (below), seemed an unlikely contender to make the eight-man year-end finals — moved to Turin this November — but he is in 14th place, with Rafael Nadal’s injury meaning at least the top nine will qualify. That is a more accurate reflection of Norrie’s standing than an official ranking of 26, which is falsely depressed because, under a complex Covid formula, points are still being counted from more than a year ago. This is his 22nd tournament of the season and he admitted: ‘It’s a bit frustrating not to be seated a bit higher in this with the way the rankings are and the way the points have been worked out. I haven’t thought about the amount of matches, you want to keep going and keep pushing hard.’ The world game is currently in a state of flux and renewal. The British scene is fast changing, too, with the startling emergence of Raducanu and the long-term struggles of Murray and Jo Konta. The latter is contemplating retirement due to a persistent knee injury. Her career-best mark of 46 wins in the 2016 season now looks like being overhauled by Norrie. Previously regarded a solid but unspectacular member of the top 100, with a cleverly redirected backhand a lone standout feature, the South Africanborn son of a Scots father and Welsh mother is keen to take advantage of the present upheavals. He is not lacking ambition and has more on his mind than overtaking Dan Evans to become Raducanu’s male counterpart. ‘Being British No 1 is not the goal. I am more focused on getting to No 1 in the world,’ he said. ‘That is my dream. Of course I would love to play a Wimbledon final, but I believe I can get that No 1 spot.’ This target looks a very long shot, although official recognition of his achievements will come in the next month when he is put on the shortlist for the ATP’s most improved player of the year award. Making the championship match of last week’s San Diego Open was his latest milestone. It was his fifth ATP Tour final of the year. Meanwhile, Raducanu will press ahead with plans to recruit a new long-term coach, with a shortlist being considered that includes Argentinian Carlos Rodrigues and Dutchman Sven Groeneveld.