NORRIE WANTS TO RAISE THE ROOF

BY

CAMERON NORRIE wants a shaft of the Centre Court limelight after asking new locker-room pal Novak Djokovic for tips on handling the biggest stage in tennis.

Twelve months ago, Britain’s No.1 was barred entry to the exclusive seeds’ changing rooms at SW19 because he was not ranked high enough.

But after bagging the locker next to six-times champion Djokovic this year, Norrie, who has never been past the third round of any Grand Slam, saw off Spanish veteran Pablo Andujar (below, congratulating Norrie) 6-0 7-6 6-3 in a match twice delayed by rain.

Norrie (left) now meets another Spaniard – world No.71 Jaime Munar – and is dreaming of a show court date.

The No.9 seed stopped short of complaining about being shunted out on to Court No.2 while unseeded Andy Murray took centre stage.

But Norrie said: “Last year, after making the final at Queen’s, I was seeded about 28 and I thought, ‘Oh good, I made it to the seeded locker rooms.’

“I went to walk in and the security guy was like, ‘No, no, no, you’re not allowed in.’ It was only the top 14 seeds or something last year, maybe for Covid reasons, but I was so looking forward to doing it.

“I mean, the locker room is incredible, especially all the players in there, the showers and everything, unbelievable.

“It’s so good, they put my locker right next to Novak’s. I was asking him how Centre Court was, talking to him a little bit. Mostly all his stuff was in the way of mine.

“But it’s definitely a different feel this year and being around those players, having the chance to talk to them.”

Norrie was two points from victory when the heavens opened and he returned after a 90-minute delay to finish the match in just four minutes.

He added: “It would be nice to play on a show court, especially with the weather. I had to come off twice and having a roof over Centre Court and No.1 Court means you’re guaranteed to play.”