You Cam do it! British tennis number one Cameron Norrie carries hopes of a nation as he faces Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon semi-final today
- British tennis ace Cameron Norrie is play Novak Djokovic today at Wimbledon
- At stake is a place in the Men’s Singles Final against Australian star Nick Kyrgios
- Norrie is fourth British man in Open era to ever reach last four at All England Club
British tennis ace Cameron Norrie is today preparing for the biggest match of his career, when he plays in his first ever Wimbledon semi-final.
The 26-year-old is set for a tough semi-final against top seed Novak Djokovic on Centre Court on Friday afternoon.
Norrie is the fourth British man in the Open era to ever reach the last four at the All England Club.
His profile has sky-rocketed during the tournament, with some fans rechristening the famous Wimbledon hill Norrie Knoll.
Speaking after his victory over Belgium’s David Goffin on Tuesday, Norrie backed himself to defeat Djokovic.
Asked if he can win the match, which is scheduled to start at some point after 2.30pm, Norrie said: ‘For sure. I think it’s obviously one of the toughest tasks in tennis.
British tennis ace Cameron Norrie (pictured) is today preparing for the biggest match of his career, when he plays in his first ever Wimbledon semi-final
The 26-year-old is set for a tough semi-final against top seed Novak Djokovic on Centre Court on Friday afternoon
British fans are ‘nervous’ but ‘very excited’ for Cameron Norrie ahead of Wimbledon semi final
Fans at Wimbledon say they are ‘nervous’ but ‘very excited’ for Cameron Norrie as he heads into the semi-final.
The 26-year-old is set for a tough match against top seed Novak Djokovic on Centre Court on Friday afternoon.
Crowds of people have been lining up in the queue for tickets to the SW19 grounds, with many saying they have come just to cheer on the British number one.
But some said they were disappointed that the semi-final between Australian Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal is not going ahead after the Spaniard pulled out on Thursday due to an abdominal injury.
Jack Manuel, 29, from Streatham, and Harry Mobbs, 28, from London Bridge, said they had come to watch Norrie, adding: ‘Big up the GBR.’
Mr Mobbs said: ‘I’m excited to see what will happen today with (Djokovic) and Norrie.
‘It’s going to be a difficult one though. If he can get the first or even second set, it will be a good game.’
Mr Manuel said: ‘I think it will go either one of two ways, it will be straight sets for (Djokovic) or it will go five and hopefully Norrie will pull through.’
Kelly Paterson, 25, from Zimbabwe, said she is feeling ‘scared’ for Norrie.
‘At least he knows he’s got the whole country rooting for him so that must help,’ she added.
‘I really want him to win the whole thing.’
On Norrie mania among British fans, she said: ‘There’s nothing better than when Brits get fully involved with sporting events and all go crazy.’
Paul Maddicks, 49, from Balham, said he is ‘quite nervous’ for Norrie.
His friend James Vincent-Smith, 44, said: ‘I’d like to think that Norrie has a chance but it could be over quite quickly.’
‘I’d say grass is his favourite surface and his record is unbelievable here at Wimbledon. It’s going to be tough.’
Meanwhile, the semi-final match between Australian Nick Kyrgios and Spaniard Rafael Nadal, which was set to take place on the court afterwards, will now no longer be going ahead.
Fans were ‘devastated’ for Nadal when he pulled out on Thursday evening due to an abdominal injury, giving Kyrgios a walkover into Sunday’s final.
Sinead Goggin, 40, an account manager from Ireland, said: ‘It’s just pure devastation. I’m devastated for him.’
Some also said it was ‘unfair’ that Kyrgios would get to go straight to the final with four days off while Norrie and Djokovic have to play Friday’s semi-final.
Property developer Edmund Johnson, 29, from Wimbledon, said he felt Kyrgios had now ‘been given an advantage’.
Despite the disappointment at Nadal’s withdrawal, crowds of people are still expected to flock to the SW19 grounds and queue up for tickets on Friday to cheer on Norrie.
Earlier in the tournament, fans described the British player as ‘mysterious’ but more information has emerged about Norrie in recent days as his profile grows.
His girlfriend Louise Jacobi, 32, opened up about her relationship with ‘easy-going’ Norrie.
When asked about how she was feeling for Norrie’s next game against defending champion Djokovic, Ms Jacobi said: ‘It’s definitely going to be a tough match. But I know he can do it.’
Meanwhile, Norrie’s college coach on Wednesday described the sacrifices the British number one made to become a professional tennis player after a ‘crossroad’ moment when he crashed a moped after drinking.
David Robiti, who was one of his coaches alongside Devin Bowen for ‘The Horned Frogs’ tennis team at TCU, told PA that they had to sit him down and tell him to change his behaviour if he wanted to be a professional player.
Mr Robiti said: ‘What he learned from it was that he missed a big opportunity because of something that happened off court.’
He added: ‘And credit to him, he decided he wanted to be a professional from that moment and his choices were very good.
‘All the success that he is having is due to his work and his decision-making.’
His current coach, Facundo Lugones, also gave fans an insight into how ‘competitive’ the 26-year-old is, spending his time off court playing backgammon and Ludo with his fitness trainer.
On Norrie as a tennis player, Mr Lugones said: ‘You never want to sell Norrie short. He doesn’t get the hype that other players get for similar results.
‘But I don’t think he cares about that. If anything, it motivates him to do better and be in these moments more often.’
His profile has sky-rocketed during the tournament, with some fans rechristening the famous Wimbledon hill Norrie Knoll. He is being supported by his family and his girlfriend Louise Jacobi
Speaking after his victory over Belgium’s David Goffin on Tuesday, Norrie backed himself to defeat Djokovic (pictured)
Meanwhile, the semi-final match between Australian Nick Kyrgios (pictured) and Spaniard Rafael Nadal, which was set to take place on the court afterwards, will now no longer be going ahead. Fans were ‘devastated’ for Nadal when he pulled out on Thursday evening due to an abdominal injury, giving Kyrgios a walkover into Sunday’s final
It comes as fans at Wimbledon say they are ‘nervous’ but ‘very excited’ for Cameron Norrie as he heads into the semi-final.
Crowds of people have been lining up in the queue for tickets to the SW19 grounds, with many saying they have come just to cheer on the British number one.
But some said they were disappointed that the semi-final between Australian Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal is not going ahead after the Spaniard pulled out on Thursday due to an abdominal injury.
Jack Manuel, 29, from Streatham, and Harry Mobbs, 28, from London Bridge, said they had come to watch Norrie, adding: ‘Big up the GBR.’
Mr Mobbs said: ‘I’m excited to see what will happen today with (Djokovic) and Norrie.
‘It’s going to be a difficult one though. If he can get the first or even second set, it will be a good game.’
Mr Manuel said: ‘I think it will go either one of two ways, it will be straight sets for (Djokovic) or it will go five and hopefully Norrie will pull through.’
Kelly Paterson, 25, from Zimbabwe, said she is feeling ‘scared’ for Norrie.
‘At least he knows he’s got the whole country rooting for him so that must help,’ she added.
‘I really want him to win the whole thing.’
On Norrie mania among British fans, she said: ‘There’s nothing better than when Brits get fully involved with sporting events and all go crazy.’
Paul Maddicks, 49, from Balham, said he is ‘quite nervous’ for Norrie.
His friend James Vincent-Smith, 44, said: ‘I’d like to think that Norrie has a chance but it could be over quite quickly.’
Other fans said they are hopeful for the British number one.
Jonty Carr, 24, from Wandsworth, said: ‘I’m quite optimistic actually. He’s playing Djokovic obviously, which is going to be tough.
‘I’m very excited for it. I 100% will be rooting for him. I’m quite confident. He’s been playing so well so far.’
Debbie Baillie, 60, from Bracknell, said: ‘Go Norrie!’
She added: ‘We’re just so excited that we’ve got a Brit in the semi-final. It’s fantastic.
‘He’s really strong and he’s very fit and he’s got some good shots, so I think he’s got a chance.’
Kashmira Naik, 60, from Pinnock, said she is ‘very excited’ to watch the Briton play.
She added: ‘I’m definitely hoping he’ll get to the final but he’s got a very tough match with Novak.
‘He’s been playing really well, I watched his last game and was definitely rooting for him and what a great comeback he has had as well.’
Some fans talked of their disappointment at not being able to see Nadal play Kyrgios.
Anna Carril, 47, from Madrid, said: ‘We’re Spanish – we had the illusion for Rafa but I know it won’t be possible, but we’re excited to be here.
‘I feel sad, I feel inspired by him every time because he’s an example of working hard and try again, try again so it’s inspiring whatever he does.’
Valerie Chua, 49, from Finchampstead, said: ‘I’m in tears. It’s my first Wimbledon and I was really hoping to see Nadal but he’s out.
‘I’m number one Nadal fan, I’m going to cry, I seriously am gutted.’
Mr Manuel said: ‘I’m disappointed, it’s a shame because I quite like feisty Kyrgios, it would have been a good match to watch.’
Ms Paterson added: ‘It’s a bit bleak, I really wanted Nadal to beat Kyrgios so I’m quite sad and that would have just been such a good game to watch.
‘Nadal is obviously just amazing and Kyrgios with his attitude is so good to watch.’
Celine Leach, 24, from South Africa, said: ‘I’m really sad that Nadal’s had to pull out but to see Norrie play against Djokovic I think will be a really, really exciting match and I think Norrie will probably give Djokovic a good run for his money.
‘I know the Brits are really excited to watch him play, he’s got ties to South Africa so I’m just really keen to see that match.’
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