Cameron Norrie is set to face off against Novak Djokovic in the third round of the US Open on Friday, a rematch of their clash at the Italian Open in 2023.
Djokovic advanced to the third round after defeating Zachary Svajda in four sets, but expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, stating he is “not happy” with his tennis at the US Open. The 38-year-old has also been contending with a painful blister that required an injury timeout in the first round.
Norrie, who secured a walkover victory against Sebastian Korda in the first round, also needed four sets to win his second-round match. He’s expected to bring his A-game when he faces Djokovic in the third round, as he did two years ago in Italy.
When they met in Rome, Djokovic comfortably defeated Norrie 6-3, 6-4, but the match was not without controversy. Norrie hit a slam directly at Djokovic’s leg, which infuriated the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Although Norrie immediately apologized, Djokovic stared him down and approached the net. After his victory, Djokovic told reporters: “Maybe you could say he didn’t hit me deliberately. I don’t know if he saw me. I mean… you can always see where the player is positioned on the court.”
Djokovic then suggested that his hostile reaction was amplified due to Norrie’s behavior throughout the match.
“It was not so much maybe about that, but it was maybe a combination of things,” he added. “He was doing all the things that we’re allowed. He’s allowed to take a medical timeout. He’s allowed to hit a player.
“He’s allowed to say ‘come on’ in the face more or less every single point from basically first game. Those are the things that we players know in the locker room it’s not fair play, it’s not how we treat each other. But, again, it’s allowed.”
Norrie hit back at the allegations, clarifying his need for the medical break while confirming that he offered an apology to Djokovic. He maintained there was nothing inappropriate about his conduct and expressed bewilderment at Djokovic’s grievances.
“I apologized straightaway, and I didn’t see him,” Norrie said. “I looked up and hit the ball down low. I didn’t see him turn and concede the point. I wanted to win. It was one of those matches where he’s one of the best players in the world, and I wanted to play my best and compete as hard as I could.
“I didn’t think I was in his face at all. I think, if anyone knows me, I’m pretty vocal in some matches. It was a regular tennis match for me I was feeling my hip a little bit, and I took the medical time-out. It is within the rules. And for him also it’s in the rules to start the match on his time – being late.”