- Norrie, seeded 11th, had been aiming to knock off another notable career
- He led by two sets to one before Czech Lehecka fought back to win
- He says he still can’t pick anything that contributed to his loss
Cameron Norrie, the British No.1 players is out of the Australian Open after a thrashing by Jiri Lehecka.
Norrie, seeded 11th, had been aiming to knock off another notable career milestone by reaching the last 16 at Melbourne Park for the first time.
He led by two sets to one before Czech Lehecka fought back to win 6-7 (8-10) 6-3 3-6 6-1 6-4 in the third round. The 27-year-old left-hander was far from his best and needed treatment on his left knee early in the decider.
By making it to the final 16 at Melbourne Park for the first time, Norrie seeded 11th and hoped to achieve another significant career milestone.
Before Czech Lehecka rallied to defeat him in the third round, he had two sets to one advantage. Early in the decider, the 27-year-old left-hander required to care for his left knee because he wasn’t feeling well.
Cameron Norrie. Photo/Eurosport
Speaking post-match, Norrie said Lehecka played better than he did, but he still can’t tell why he didn’t give it his best.
His knee discomfort didn’t cause him much trouble, so he can’t blame it for the loss. Lehecka said he was optimistic about a win adding that a previous match in Auckland taught him the power of never giving up.
The Czech is seeded 71. With Norrie out, the only British players left in either single draw are Andy Murray and Dan Evans, who earlier on Friday at 04:05 local time won their great second-round match.
On Saturday at around 13:00 local time (02:00 GMT), Evans will face fifth-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev at Margaret Court Arena.
On the same court, Murray will play the 24th-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain in the first match of the night session at 8:00.
Norrie had a successful 2022 season where he achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 14. It was an impressive improvement for a player who, in his mid-20s, was still just outside the top 70 at the start of the 2021 season.
From his London home, Norrie told The National, that 2022 was a terrific year, especially doing so much better than he did in 2021. Specifically, he recalls the semi-final appearance at Wimbledon and having his family and friends present to watch and support him as major highlights.
Cameron Norrie. Photo/The Times
But after that, attention immediately turned to the upcoming activities. Tennis players typically only get to enjoy themselves when they are performing well. As he was reflecting after taking some time off to relax in London, he realized there were many beautiful moments.
On the other hand, as a player, he added, he wanted more, and there are definitely areas where he could have done better, but he didn’t.
Norrie’s level of self-analysis and will to improve propelled him to the pinnacle of the sport. There is no chance that his ascent took place after the lockdown. When the tennis season ended in March 2020, Norrie travelled to New Zealand, where his parents still live and where he lived until the age of 16.
Be mindful that his physical fitness would become his most lethal weapon. He worked out intensely to get to the best of forms.
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