Norrie celebrating finest win with his new trainers
CAMERON NORRIE admits the biggest win of his career had left even him shocked after he became the first British player to claim the Indian Wells title.
The 26-year-old continued a momentous year for the sport in this country – which last month saw 18-year-old Emma Raducanu lift the US Open – by coming from a set down to beat Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the final.
Norrie’s feat was achieved in brand new shoes after he had three pairs taken from on top of his locker, while his second title of the year lifts him to a new high of 16th in the world rankings.
‘I still don’t really know what I’m experiencing,’ said the 26-year-old. ‘It was an amazing couple weeks and I’m so happy with how I treated all the occasions, all the big moments, all the matches. I’m so pleased to win my biggest title.’
Norrie said it took a three-set victory over Roberto Bautista Agut in the last 32 to give him belief as top seeds such as
I still don’t really know what I’m experiencing. I’m just so pleased to win my biggest title
Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev fell by the wayside.
‘Starting the tournament, you’re a little bit nervous, you’re not really sure, not used to the conditions,’ he admitted.
‘I had a couple of tough matches early on, especially against Bautista. I think that was my toughest match. Physically that match was rough.
‘I think it just shows if you stick around in these big events, obviously it was pretty miraculous that all the top guys lost, and when I looked at the four semi-finalists [you realise] “hmm, it’s a good opportunity here”.’
Norrie, who won £880,000 for taking the title, was eventually able to see the funny side of losing his shoes in light of compatriot Andy Murray’s own trainers – with his wedding ring tied to the laces – having gone astray earlier in the tournament.
‘I looked all day. I had everyone looking,’ he revealed. ‘I don’t know what the people have against the Brits with stealing the shoes. Luckily I didn’t have a wedding ring attached, so that was a bonus.’