Norrie not sorry despite losing to Ruud in debut ATP Finals match
TURIN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 17: Cameron Norrie of Great Britain congratulates Casper Ruud of Norway on his victory after the mens singles Round Robin match against during Day Four of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at Pala Alpitour on November 17, 2021 in Turin, . (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Cameron Norrie provided thrills and spills in a late-night entertainer on his ATP Finals debut but couldn't get the win.
Casper Ruud, who lost his first Round Robin match to Djokovic earlier in the week, stamped his authority on the match with a commanding 6-1 scoreline in set one. The British Number One fought back valiantly to take the second - winning five games in a row - but couldn't ward off the Norwegian and went down 6-1 3-6 4-6.
Norrie entered the tournament, being held in its new home of Turin, as second alternate after Stefanos Tsitsipas retired with an elbow injury.
Despite the loss, Norrie was delighted to have made it into the prestigious end-of-year event, capping off a memorable season during which he won his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells. 'I came out firing and loved the match,' he said after his battle with Ruud. 'It just came down to a couple games in the second and third sets. I was really happy with my level.'
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Although he can't progress to the semis in Turin after his loss, the fun doesn't stop just there. The 26-year-old will now have the opportunity to take on World Number One, Novak Djokovic, for the very first time.
'I have never played or practised with Novak,' said Norrie. 'I am looking forward to it. He is really good in these quick conditions. It is going to be difficult, but I am looking forward to it. I am going to see if I belong and can compete with a guy like that.”
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