Wimbledon 2025: Cam Norrie on ‘unreal’ Carlos Alcaraz & taking the positives from quarter-final run
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Cam Norrie’s chance at a second career Wimbledon semi-final was cut short on Tuesday evening as he faced arguably one of the toughest challenges in tennis right now – facing Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court.
Two-time defending champion Alcaraz is hitting full flight in the latter stages of this year’s tournament as he aims to complete a ‘three-peat’, and the second seed reached yet another level against Norrie.
A 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 quarter-final win over the British No.3 marked his 19th consecutive win at the All England Club and the world No.2 is already establishing himself as one of the grass court greats at just the age of 22.
Norrie came into the match full of excitement ar the prospect of playing Alcaraz two years on from their previous meeting in the Rio Open final, where Norrie came away the victor.
The British star didn’t go without his chances – especially in the first set where he surrendered four break points on the Spaniards opening game – but Alcaraz’s quality was just too strong throughout their hour and 41-minute clash.
“It was a good experience to play probably the best player in the world at the moment, most confident player on his best surface,” Norrie said in his post-match press conference.
“Whenever I had a chance, he literally just hit the spot on the serve, or I had a good return, and he put the ball in an awkward part of the court. He was very, very good at taking chances on my serve.
“I think he is the favourite, for sure. His level was unreal. I felt like a lot of the time today if I didn't do enough with the ball, he was going to punish me with a lot of his different options, with power.”
I'm most pleased with how I'm playing every point, playing point for point, not giving too much away. I'm putting the ball in difficult spots. I'm bringing my own energy.
While it wasn’t the result he wanted on the day, Norrie can and should come away from The Championships with plenty of positives.
After a mixed few weeks on the grass leading up to the event, the British star managed to defeat a former Wimbledon semi-finalist in Roberto Bautista Agut and 12th seed Frances Tiafoe, come through in straight sets against Mattia Bellucci, battle past Nicolas Jarry in five to reach a second career Grand Slam quarter-final.
Earlier this year, Norrie’s ranking had dropped to just inside the world’s top 100, but his run at Wimbledon and a career-best fourth round at Roland Garros recently have seen him rise back to No.43 in the live ATP rankings.
Proud of his efforts at his home Grand Slam, Norrie will hopefully take a lot from his experience at Wimbledon into the remainder of the season and ahead of the US Open.
“I think there's a lot of positives,” he said. “I think most of all was how I went about my business in the tournament, how I enjoyed all the moments, all the different matches.
“I felt really free on the court. I think my ability to hold my concentration, especially in that Jarry match where I could have gone away at any moment, I can take so much confidence from that.
“It's almost like I'd done a mini pre-season in that match. I can take a lot from that match.
“I'm most pleased with how I'm playing every point, playing point for point, not giving too much away. I'm putting the ball in difficult spots. I'm bringing my own energy. I'm playing the big points on my terms and doing the fundamentals well.”
One of the most notable things about Norrie’s run over the past couple of weeks is just how much fun he’s been having on court.
The former world No.8 was getting pumped up by the British crowd, loving every minute of the battle and played like someone completely at home on the biggest of all stages. Norrie explained how his attitude on the court has manifested itself from life away from the sport.
“I'm just enjoying everything,” he said. “Enjoying my life on the tour, enjoying off the court as much as I can. I think just having a good perspective of just not putting too much pressure on yourself.
“Obviously tennis is one of the most important things in my life, but I want to just keep doing other things and keep enjoying with my friends and family and these moments bringing us all together. I think that's important and going out there and enjoying your tennis.
“If I was a young kid, 12 or 13 years old, and I saw myself playing quarter-finals of Grand Slams and not enjoying it or making excuses, I think that would be tough. I'm just enjoying it as much as I can, and having a good perspective I think has been important in the last few months.”
There's still plenty of British action at Wimbledon across the doubles, wheelchair and junior draws - follow the action.
