- Cam Norrie’s win against Daniil Medvedev has given him so much confidence
- He will have to play one of the best matches of his life to beat Novak Djokovic
- But Norrie will play his best match when he feels most comfortable with his style
With Cam Norrie and Jack Draper both in action at the start of week two at the French Open this year, British tennis looks in rude health on the red Parisian clay.
Mail Sport sat down with former British No1 LAURA ROBSON to discuss the two men’s prospects and look ahead to the grass season and Wimbledon.
Can Cam Norrie beat Novak Djokovic?
What an exciting day, what an exciting time for British tennis. Let’s start with Cam Norrie: can he beat Novak Djokovic for the first time? I asked John McEnroe this and he just said: ‘No!’ but I’m a little bit more hopeful.
Watching Cam here this week, he just wants it so bad. He’s had a tough year but the win against Daniil Medvedev in the first round has given him so much confidence, and he just looks like he has that belief back in his game.
Of course, he’s going to have to play one of the best matches of his life to beat Novak but when I spoke to Cam pre-tournament, he felt like he was playing better tennis now than when he was in the top 10.
I liked what he said before playing Daniil. He said the last few times he played him he tried to be more aggressive, to play out of his comfort zone, and he realised it didn’t work. He’s going to play his best match when he feels most comfortable with his game style.
How impressed have you been with Jack Draper?
As for Jack Draper, he might get a bit of everything against Alexander Bublik, a couple of underarm serves at key moments. In pure tennis terms though, Bublik is not to be underestimated. He can take the racket out of your hands, suddenly start teeing off and absolutely ripping every return of serve.
Jack has bigger weapons, it’s just whether he’s going to have enough rhythm to use them.
Cameron Norrie looks like he has belief back in his game after what has been a tough year
He will look to beat Novak Djokovic for the first time but must feel comfortable with his style
Norrie is also going to have to play one of the best matches of his life to down Djokovic
How excited has the French Open made you for Wimbledon?
Looking further ahead, I can’t remember the last time I felt so positive about a grass-court season from a British point of view.
To have three women pushing each other and wanting that British No 1 spot as if it’s a coveted thing, rather than something you get by default if you’re even in the top 100.
And the fact Jack will be seeded No 4 or No 5 and in contention for the Wimbledon title is so exciting.
The hype around him over the next few weeks is going to be different compared to previous years. But if anyone can handle it, it’s him.
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