Norrie wins Indian Wells Open to cap fine few weeks for British tennis
Cameron Norrie capped a remarkable few weeks for British tennis by becoming the first player from this country to win the prestigious BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
The 26-year-old came from a set down to defeat Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili 3-6 6-4 6-1, netting himself one of the biggest titles on the ATP Tour and around £880,000 in prize money. While not quite on a par with Emma Raducanu’s
US Open triumph, Norrie’s success in the Californian desert has elevated him to a new high of 15th in the world rankings having started the year down at 71.
It was his second title in his sixth final of 2021, and a delighted Norrie said: “I still don’t really know what I’m experiencing.
“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.”
The new British number oneisalsofirmlyincontention to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals – an incredible achievement given he did not make it past the third round at any of the grand slams.
The top eight players of the year will make up the field in Turin and Norrie now sits in 10th,160pointsbehindHubert
Hurkacz, with Rafael Nadal certaintomissthetournament due to a foot injury.
Norrie pulled out of this week’s tournament in Antwerp but will play in Vienna, Paris and Stockholm over the next month.
He said: “It would be nice to make it but I’m going to keep going, keep taking care of what I can and handling what I can. We’ll see how it goes.
“I’m looking forward to the indoor season. I really like the courts.I’veneverreallymadea deep run in one of those tournaments,butIalwaysplaywell. I always lose tight matches.
“Hopefullythosecanswing in my favour this year.”
Winningtightmatchesand coming through difficult situations has been one of the key reasons behind Norrie’s brilliant form this year, and the final against Basilashvili was no different.
The big-hitting Georgian came from 3-1 down to win the first set with a barrage of winners but Norrie reversed the pattern in the second and woredownhisopponentinthe decider.
The title is also a feather in the cap for Norrie’s Argentinian coach Facundo Lugones. The pair have worked together since their time at Texas Christian University, where theywereinitiallyteam-mates.