GAME, JET AND MATCH
Norrie’s dad travels 24 hours to see him star for GB in his old hometown
CAMERON NORRIE’S dad made a 24-hour trip from New Zealand because he couldn’t bear to miss the moment his boy steps out on Scottish soil as Britain’s main man.
But that’s nothing to the epic journey that has taken the Norrie family from dad David’s humble roots in Glasgow to his son’s emotional return today as Team GB’s No.1 pick for their Davis Cup tie against Uzbekistan.
Along the way young Norrie lived his early years in Johannesburg until one night when gun-toting robbers putting a gun to their neighbour’s head convinced his father to move the family.
The bulk of Norrie’s life was spent in New Zealand – where he excelled in a number of sports including cricket and rugby before specialising in tennis.
But his Scottish dad still made a point of drumming into him the importance of his Caledonian roots.
Which brings them here. Today. When one proud dad will watch as an even prouder 23-year-old emerges to the cheers of a packed Emirates Arena that Norrie considers a home crowd.
Today’s singles meeting with Jurabek Karimov will be followed on Sunday by a greater, most likely decisive, battle with Uzbekistan’s star man – the in-form Denis Istomin who will start proceedings against Dan Evans today.
In short, much expectation will rest on his shoulders but as his dad can testify, this is a dream moment he’s been working towards most of his life.
Norrie senior said: “I’m very proud. Part of the reason I made the trip is because, as (captain) Leon Smith points out, the change in format means this might be the last Davis Cup tie here.
“With it being in Glasgow and Cameron playing at No.1, I felt I should be here. But it was some journey. It’s 17 hours to Dubai from Auckland then another seven-and-a-half into Glasgow. And the 11-hour time difference makes the jetlag pleasant.
“I’ve been away 36 years. Or 39 if you count England as being away. Which I think you do!
“But I’ve kept the accent. Why wouldn’t you? I think you probably try to imbue some of your upbringing and values to your kids by telling them about their background and heritage. Both my kids were born in South Africa but I don’t think you change who you are, where you come from, even if you travel all over.
“After I got home one night a car coming in behind me got held up, the girl inside got a gun put to her head and she had her kid in the back seat.
“Luckily they both survived but I thought there by the grace of God go I. New Zealand looked a decent option to bring up kids and so it proved.”
The problem with living on the other side of the world is the logistical matter of following his football team. So it’s understandable with Rangers playing Dundee at Ibrox tomorrow – and Cameron not involved in that day’s doubles rubber with Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot facing Istomin and Sanjar Fayziev – there’s a temptation to resist.
He added: “I thought it would look bad if I said, ‘Sorry, I’m off to Ibrox’ rather than support the team.
“I haven’t been to a Davis Cup tie since I went to watch John Clifton at Craiglockhart in 1970. I suspect the atmosphere is going to be a bit different this time.”
Norrie himself can’t wait for his first home tie after starring on his Davis Cup debut in Spain in February. Coming back from two sets down to beat Roberto Bautista Agut, his performance was hailed “one of the most impressive debuts of all time” by former captain John Lloyd.
Now with Andy Murray and British No.1 Kyle Edmund both absent as they recover from injury and illness, the heat is on to produce more heroics.
Norrie said: “From what I’ve heard from Jamie (Murray) the Scottish crowd gets pretty rowdy. It’s going to be an incredible atmosphere and it’s great to have my dad here.
“He grew up not far from here in King’s Park, went to the University of Strathclyde – and he’s still got a filthy Scottish accent!”
He’ll hear a lot more of that today.