BNP PARIBAS OPEN

October 14, 2021

Cameron Norrie

Press Conference

C. NORRIE/D. Schwartzman

6-0, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: We have Cam Norrie following his win in the quarterfinals here in Indian Wells.

Q. That was fantastic, such one-way traffic in the end. Did you feel relaxed? It was a big match for you.

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, definitely my biggest match of my career probably leading in. Honestly out there, once the match begun, I was feeling very relaxed, and I was very in the present. I wasn't really thinking too much and just going out and playing just like another match.

Definitely more relaxed than all my other matches I have played this week, so I was very happy with how I handled everything.

Q. You told me yesterday that you weren't that fussed about being the new British No. 1, but now you know you're actually going to be in that position on Monday. Can you give us an idea what it might mean to you? A pretty big achievement to be the very best player in your country.

CAMERON NORRIE: For sure. It was never really a goal of mine, but it's definitely a great bonus to be British No. 1. I want to keep pushing. I think I've got a lot of things to improve on, but I think it's one of those things you've got to enjoy.

Yeah, it's nice to show some of the hard work from Facu and I that have been putting in over the last kind of five years after college. It's showing, and it's been a lot of fun. It's one of those things just a bonus, and really pleased to be playing at the level that I am and enjoying the process of it.

Q. Obviously the match that's going to produce the winner against you is still going on, but we won't have a chance to ask you when it's finished. Could you just sort of talk about the scenarios of playing either player, Hurkacz or Dimitrov?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I mean, I think I just saw it went to three sets there now, they are in the third set. They are both -- I mean, Hurkacz is having an unbelievable year. He won Miami, semifinals of Wimbledon. The guy has a very complete game. He volleys, probably one of the best volleyers on tour at the moment.

He's extremely confident. I watched the first set a little bit there. He was playing great. He seemed very relaxed. He's definitely playing well.

I mean, I watched the match with Daniil and Grigor yesterday. It was impressive. I mean, for him to come back and to play the level that Grigor played yesterday to come back from a set and a break down against one of the best players, probably second-best player in the world, it's impressive stuff.

Both of those guys is definitely playing well. It's not going to be easy, regardless of who I play, but I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead. It will be interesting to see who comes through this one.

Q. Can you tell us a bit about how you have come to be so loyal as a coach/player partnership? What is it that makes Facu such a good match for you?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I think it's been obviously great to have someone that knew me in college and knew me kind of off the court and I was good friends with in college who I played with and who I respected as one of my teammates. To kind of change that into him traveling with me full time and spending a lot of time together, we never really got sick of each other at all, so that's definitely a bonus.

Obviously we are traveling week in, week out together, so first of all, I think it's big that you pick someone that you get on well with (smiling). So that's a bonus.

He's so passionate about tennis. He's given 120% every day. The guy, he takes care of all the little details, everything, so he's a phenomenal coach. He's always willing to learn and listen to others. He's great friends with a lot of the other coaches and a lot of the other Argentinian coaches who have a lot of experience and played on the tour. Great coaches, as well. So he's around the best guys in the world, and he's listening to what they are saying. He's taking everything onboard.

Overall, it's cool because every time I do something for the first time, like today, he's doing it, as well. So it's cool to do it together. He brings a lot. He offers a lot of help, and he's a great guy altogether.

Q. Can you just talk about the standards that you have set this year, 45 wins in 2021? And what would it mean if you can win this thing? You're so close now, last four. You've got a real opportunity to win a Masters title for the first time.

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I think it's still a long way to go. These are the two toughest ones. Yeah, we'll see what happens. I mean, I'm looking forward to it, and another chance for me.

I'm happy to be through to my first semifinal. I'm going to enjoy that tonight and get ready to try to do that and to keep pressing. I'm feeling ready to go. I have a day off tomorrow, which is nice. I'll enjoy that. We'll see how it goes.

Q. Standards you're setting, Cam, others can really copy that in Britain. The athleticism you show, you're always at competitions, the fact you're so consistent now.

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I think in terms of the tennis and I think what other players in the UK can maybe learn, I think in terms of Andy, Evo, Kyle, myself, even Broads, I think just all of us have been pretty dedicated and been out on the tour, not really kind of going back home too often. We are staying out there, and we are all pushing each other, so it's been a great year for all of us so far I think.

In terms of myself, yeah, I'm just really pleased to be playing my best level at these bigger events. Just enjoying the process and enjoying playing the bigger matches. There is always going to be a bigger match and a bigger opportunity. I was just happy with how I handled myself in terms of the situation today.

So in terms of my expectations and everything, I think it's only ever expectations, so I have managed to follow through and keep the momentum going like I have all year.

Q. You touched on being British No. 1 and et cetera. If you had to pick, what's a bigger deal for you, being British No. 1, cracking the top 20, reaching your first Masters semi?

CAMERON NORRIE: I think it's too tough to pick maybe (smiling). I'm really happy, and I'm just happy to be through today. I thought it was always going to be tough against Diego, and happy to play the way I did today. I think that was the most impressive thing for me.

For my biggest match of my career to play like I did and execute like I did was the biggest thing that I'm most happy with today.

Q. Andy said the other day that he probably won't be playing in the Davis Cup Finals. Just wondered, what are your thoughts about that? Are you planning to play Davis Cup Finals? I know obviously it's pretty late in the year, so it makes the preseason quite short.

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I think it's difficult. I mean, with the long year and kind of getting ready for Australia, it's tough to have a preseason with the Davis Cup. I respect the decision from Andy, and he knows how important it is to get ready for Australia and to be playing Australian Open and to be in peak performance for that. It's completely understandable.

Maybe we could have been used him in the doubles. I think he would have a good matchup with Joe. But, no, that's absolutely fine. It's his decision and understandable.

Yeah, I think, I mean, I'm definitely going to be playing, and I'm looking forward to representing GB again and playing in the Davis Cup. I wasn't selected last time, so it will be nice to get the call up and I think we have a great team, a lot of informed players.

I mean, Joe couldn't be any more confident right now, so stick him with anyone, I think they are going to be a good team. Evo has been playing well, and he's having a great year, as well. I'm looking forward to that.

It's going to be a great event, especially to kind of come together as a team at the end of the season. But like I said, it's tricky timing with the preseason, so I'm going to have to manage that myself and see how I'm going to play and everything after that.