NITTO ATP FINALS

November 17, 2021

Cameron Norrie

Pala Alpitour, Torino

Press Conference

C. RUUD/C. Norrie

1-6, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Can you just tell us a bit about the experience, the late call-up, what it's like being an alternate, and what it was like making your debut in the Finals?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, this week has been incredible for me so far. I have had a lot of training. Basically I was using it as a training block towards heading into the Davis Cup.

Obviously a bonus to get a couple of matches in there, and obviously a lot to play for. Huge for the experience, as well. I really enjoyed every second out there.

I was feeling good in practice, and I have been doing a lot of gym throughout the week. I was ready to play and compete. I came out firing and loved the match.

It just came down to a couple of games in the second and third. I donated my serve twice, and then he played very clean on his serve throughout the last two sets. It was a couple games, but I was really happy with my level and especially with not playing too many points throughout the last couple weeks.

Q. Despite the defeat tonight, as you said, you played really well. Great year with the Indian Wells title. How important do you think the experiences you had this season worked for you out there tonight and staying calm under the pressure on such a big stage?

CAMERON NORRIE: Definitely was one of my biggest matches again for my career. I just tried to learn from Indian Wells and to take from those experiences and those emotions and playing big matches there and playing well under pressure.

I was really happy with how I handled the match and how I approached it. I was basically out there playing for free. I wasn't, as second alternate, I was pretty lucky to get in, so nothing to lose. I came out firing.

Yeah, like I said, just a couple games in it, but all credit to Casper. I think that's the best I have ever seen him serve. He played good, and definitely a couple of things I can work on and things I wasn't so happy with in the match, but, yeah, like you said, been a lot of fun to be playing at this level and playing at this level consistently throughout the whole year.

Q. I know that there is nothing at stake on Friday in terms of progressing or anything, but how important an experience do you think it will be to take on Novak, and what will you look to get out of that one?

CAMERON NORRIE: I can't wait. I have never played Novak before, never practiced with him. So it's a first for me, and I'm not sure if I played a World 1 before. I'm looking forward to it.

I watched him the other day. He's playing great. I watched him today. He's firing. Really feeling the ball well. He's really good in these conditions.

It's quite quick, the court. A little bit of altitude. So, I mean, it's going to be difficult, but I'm looking forward to it and another test to me. I'm going to go out and see if I belong and can compete with a guy like that.

I'm looking forward to the challenge here and looking forward to taking on the World 1.

Q. You're doing great this season. I was wondering whether you count yourself as lucky or unlucky with respect to this. You played in Australian Open against Rafael Nadal, and then French Open, again, Nadal, and then in Wimbledon, you played against Roger Federer, and now you're going to play against Novak Djokovic. All these times you have to win against a big-three person. What's your reflection of that?

CAMERON NORRIE: No, I'm extremely fortunate to be playing those matches. The reason why we play the sport is to play the legends of the game and on the biggest stages.

So I loved playing Rafa in Australia. Didn't love it so much in the French Open. He played too good. And then playing Roger on Centre Court at Wimbledon, it was incredible for me to go out there and share the court with him.

Then now I'll get to test myself against my first World 1. I can't wait for that. I'm going to take it all in and use it as another experience. I'm still pretty young and looking at a lot of firsts this year.

It's all pretty new for me for these bigger moments and bigger matches, so it's all great for my experience and my maturity as a tennis player.

Q. I just wanted to ask for this group now, for the second place, it will be a battle between Casper and Andrey. Who do you think will get on top there?

CAMERON NORRIE: Good question. Andrey play great against Tsitsipas in the first match, served very well. Actually Casper played very good against Novak, as well.

I'm going to say it's 50/50. I can't split the two. I think it's going to come down to who serves better and who puts more returns in the court. It's as simple as that in these quick conditions.

But I don't know. I think it's tough to say, but I think if Andrey is on it and he's playing his best level, I think he can tip it, and if I'm going to make a call, I'd call him. But I think it's very close. Casper played good today, and he was too good for me.