THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 3, 2021

Cameron Norrie

Press Conference

R. FEDERER/C. Norrie

6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. The singles against Roger, must have been elements of that performance - I know it's hard when you lose - that you must have been proud of.

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, thank you. I was a little bit disappointed with my level today. I think I gave a lot of free points early on, especially first two sets I didn't serve that well. I was missing a lot of second-serve returns.

But, yeah, regardless of the situation, it was amazing to play against him, to experience that, to have that kind of atmosphere out there on Centre Court. I loved every minute of it.

But I was disappointed, not the level I'd been playing previously, and definitely not the way I played in the round before, as well. It was tough. Obviously I think it was partly because of obviously the way he plays. He came up pretty aggressive. But I didn't execute well at all throughout the whole match.

I was disappointed, but I competed as hard as I could. I loved it out there.

Q. I know you stay off social media during the major tournaments. Not sure if word has got through to you there was a pub in Cardiff earlier that chose to stay with your game in the singles rather than putting on Wales versus Canada in the Rugby Union. Are you aware that your popularity is spreading away from the traditional London, Southeast kind of tennis hotbed? Your popularity is getting out there into places like South Wales, Scotland, those kind of areas.

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, it's good to hear that they kept the match on out there. I'll definitely take that as a big compliment. I know how much they love their rugby out there, as well.

Yeah, I mean, it's exciting for me to be playing matches like this. I think this is why we play the sport, to play matches like this, play on Centre Court against Roger Federer. It was unbelievable.

I just really enjoyed it. I'm sure a lot of people are following. I've got a decent amount of messages that people are following from all over the world. Like I said, it was just amazing and so special to play, experience that, just share the court with him.

Q. Do you need to pray to the draw gods so you don't play these guys in the third round of slams?

CAMERON NORRIE: No, I think it's so good to play these guys, to experience it. Yeah, I mean, it was obviously not the best of draws, but I think I could have done things a little bit better today, which is very disappointing for me and my team. Just a little bit lack of execution, especially early on.

No, I mean, I can't complain about the draws at all. It's just where my ranking is at the moment. I'm happy with my progression. Yeah, like I said, disappointed with my level.

I don't know how he thought he played, but I think he played a very clean match and didn't give me much over the four sets. He's tricky to play. I think he matches up well with my game style.

But, yeah, it would be nice to play someone else I guess in the third round. But it is what it is at the moment.

Q. On the back of this progression you've made this year, what is a realistic target for you now? Do you think by this time next year you could be a top-20 player?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I mean, I think with the level I've played all of this year, I think if I maintain that and I keep tidying up a few things, keep learning from my losses, keep doing that, I think I could be. I think I got a lot of work to do. I need to keep pushing, keep practicing hard.

I think the biggest thing is with the way the rankings are, you have to win tournaments, and I've not done that. I just need to keep pushing and keep progressing. I want to keep going up.

We'll see what happens. But I'm really happy with my level at the moment. Not so much today, but throughout the whole year. Yeah, it will be nice obviously to keep pushing up.

Q. The pace that he plays at, the pressure that he puts you under, is it different to any other player? How difficult is that?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I think he serves very well. Especially with the second serves, it's tough to get into the point and be the one dictating the points on the return side of things.

Yeah, he's phenomenal, if not one of the best, at being aggressive, being very proactive after the serve. Yeah, I think he does that well. I think he's obviously very comfortable out there with the conditions. He likes playing here at Wimbledon. Yeah, I think he played very smart at some moments.

Yeah, he plays quick, but I like to play quick also. I like the pace of play. But when he was in a rhythm, especially in the first two sets, I didn't have many looks on return there. He was, yeah, too good for me today. I wish him all the best of luck. Think he can go deep if he plays and manages his game well.