Based on the bookies’ odds, the Serbian top seed is the overwhelming favorite to win the match and advance to Sunday’s final in a tournament he has won six times previously, including the last three. But could ninth seed Norrie, also known as Cam, cause a major upset and defeat the world number three? There are several reasons why this is possible: That powerful forehand Norrie is a left-handed player and one of his biggest weapons is his heavy topspin forehand, which he has used to great effect in the grass court tournaments. He became only the fourth Briton to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals in the Open era, joining Roger Taylor, Tim Henman and Andy Murray. Norrie, currently ranked 12th in the world, also has a powerful two-handed flat backhand. The flat backhand combined with the topspin forehand makes Norrie’s shots unpredictable and adds a variety to his game that opponents can sometimes struggle with. And he has a solid game when it comes to shooting on net and his coverage around the court is impeccable. Sky News sports editor Nick Powell said facing a “left-hander” was nothing new for Djokovic, who has played Rafael Nadal 59 times, including 30 wins. But he added: “That Norrie left serve, swinging sideways into the opponent’s backhand and opening the court for the next shot, is a useful weapon.” Sky News sports presenter Jacquie Beltrao said: “Norrie’s strength is his defence. His game is based on that and he doesn’t lack much, but he is coming up against the man with the greatest defense in the history of the game. “Djokovic defends better than anyone on the planet. So he won’t win this battle. “Nori will have to be aggressive and that is not his instinct, although in the fifth set of the quarter-final against the Belgian David Goffin he did.” Image: Cameron Norrie celebrates his quarter-final win against David Goffin His “huge” lungs Norrie is one of the most accomplished players on tour and is widely respected by his peers. He also has “huge lungs” which he will need to make full use of to overcome the 35-year-old Serb, who is also known for his high energy levels. With his large lung capacity, Norrie can perform well in big matches, including his quarter-final against Goffin, where he came back from twice behind to win a five-set thriller. The 26-year-old Briton previously revealed: “I went to the hospital for some tests after an accident at college and one of the technicians said, ‘are you a deep-sea diver or something?’ Your lungs are huge! I’ve never seen lungs like this – so about five years ago I realized I had big lungs and have used them to my advantage ever since.’ Nick Powell said: “Norrie is like a racehorse who thrives over long distances and never knows when he’s beaten (as he reminded David Goffin in the quarter-finals). Norrie’s extra warm-up Norrie cycled to and from the Championships, such is the relatively short distance between his home and the All England Lawn Tennis Club. He cites the extra warm-up it offers and the added bonus of bypassing the heavy traffic around Wimbledon during the championships. House advantage The majority of the Center Court crowd at Wimbledon will be behind Norrie as he was in the quarter-finals when he was called out for victory on Court One. Norrie sealed victory on his second match point, holding his hands up when Goffin hit a forehand after three hours and 28 minutes. Image: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge celebrate Norrie’s quarter-final win The crowds outside on the so-called Henman Hill/Murray Mound, which fans now suggest should be called Norrie Knoll, roared every point the British player won during the final game of the match and gasped when he lost a point. Jacquie Beltrao said: “He’ll have the world on his side and he certainly used that in his quarter-final. But Novak is used to being the underdog in a Wimbledon final, that sometimes fires him up. “On his side, Norrie has youth and incredible fitness. He’s also got his mum and dad from New Zealand and that’s given him a huge boost. He’s got nothing to lose (no one expects to win) so he might as well come down swinging ». Nick Powell said: “Djokovic is too used to being the villain. But the roars of Wimbledon drove Norrie over the line on Tuesday and the ninth seed is learning to take advantage of the home support.” Norrie was born in Johannesburg, South Africa to a Scottish father and Welsh mother before growing up in New Zealand. He admitted his relationship with tennis was rocky when he moved to London aged 16 when he decided to pledge allegiance to Britain. School life was different, his routine had changed drastically, but New Zealand could not offer him the same opportunities that Britain could. Almost a decade later, his relationship with tennis is as strong as ever. After a year in London, Norrie committed to Texas Christian University (TCU) in the US and embraced an environment in which he could mature as a player. By the time he turned pro in 2018, Norrie was the top college player in the nation. Image: Norrie is pictured playing while at Texas Christian University (TCU) in 2017. Image: AP In top form His real emergence came last year when he closed 2021 having won two of six finals appearances, with Indian Wells among the triumphs, while recording 52 singles wins on tour to climb from 74th to 12th in the rankings. Norrie translated that form into 2022 by defeating American great Reilly Opelka in the Delray Beach Open final in February to claim his third career singles title, before reaching the final in Acapulco where he lost to Rafael Nadal by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas . He then broke into the top 10 after reaching the fourth round of the Miami Open and followed that up by claiming a fourth title in Lyon thanks to a straight sets victory over Francisco Cerundolo. The tight group Norrie’s longtime coach is Argentine Facundo Lugones and the pair have been together since 2017 following Norrie’s time at Texas Christian University. According to the ATP Tour, when Lugones graduated from TCU, he had the opportunity to travel with Norrie, who was leaving TCU to turn pro. Last year, Lugones was named Coach of the Year at the 2021 ATP Awards for his efforts in helping the British number one to the best season of his career. Norrie said: “He really gets the best of me. It’s nice to have someone who knows you well off the pitch. I can tell him anything. I think it’s important to have someone you can talk to openly about how they’re feeling.” They are clearly seeing the dividends of that partnership and loyalty now. Image: Norrie with coach Facundo Lugones after winning the Delray Beach Open in February. Photo: AP Normality – keeps it real By politely refusing the comfort of scheduled transportation to Wimbledon and instead riding a bicycle, he hails the normality and independence he had sought and blossomed in while working his way through the American college system as a student-athlete. It also lacks the aesthetic slickness of its compatriots with the original-embroidered shoes and eye-catching Nike designs. His regularity has clearly worked so far. Underdog status Could being the underdog play to Norrie’s advantage? He was soundly beaten in their only previous meeting – last year’s World Tour final in Turin – but remains confident he can trouble Djokovic this time. The winner will face either Spain’s Rafael Nadal or Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in the final. Asked if he thought he could beat the defending champion Djokovic, Norrie said: “For sure. I think it’s obviously one of the most difficult tasks in tennis. I’d say grass is his favorite surface and his record here at Wimbledon is unbelievable .be tough. “I can’t wait to take it to him and see the level he brings. Yeah, it’s going to be tough.” Image: Novak Djokovic is the favorite to win the semi-final. Photo: AP Jacquie Beltrao said: “Novak has shown his ability to bounce back and find a way already in these championships – even if Norrie goes a set or two, it will be almost impossible to completely shut the door on the six-time Wimbledon champion . . “A Norrie win would be unlikely, but he will fight for it, that’s for sure.” He added: “Novak also has the added motivation of wanting to go down in history as the all-time great. He needs this slam to close the gap on Rafael Nadal. “He may not be allowed to play in the US Open because of his vaccination status. This is his one chance, under the rules, to win another slam and take him to 21 – one ahead of Roger Federer and one less from Rafa”. Nick Powell said: “It can only encourage Norrie that the top seed has dropped a set in three of his five matches so far and it took three-and-a-half hours and five sets to see off Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals.” He also said strange things happen at the tournament – a fortnight of friend absences, shock exits, clashes with Nick Kyrgios and a 34-year-old mother of two (Germany’s Tatjana Maria) reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final. Read more: Norrie reaches Wimbledon quarter-finals British No 16
