Alexander Zverev has revealed he is ready for Cam Norrie’s new aggressive game style after watching the British No.1 train “every single day” during the off-season in Monaco. No 19 seed Norrie hit 63 winners and got to the net 63 times as he beat world No 11 Casper Ruud to reach the Australian Open fourth round for the first time.
The British No.1 then revealed: “I was working really hard in the off-season to be a little more aggressive.” The 2022 Wimbledon semi-finalist pledged to re-watch his four previous losses to the Olympic champion before their latest re-match tomorrow.
But Zverev, who is also based in Monte Carlo, said he will be prepared for Norrie’s change in tactics. “I actually thought he played exactly what he was working on in the offseason,” said the No.6 seed. “We obviously spent the offseason together in Monaco, so I’ve seen him every single day. This is exactly what he was working on.
“When you think of Cameron Norrie, you normally think of somebody who grinds a lot, somebody, a big fighter. But in the offseason he really worked on his game and he really worked on the aggressive style of play. He really worked on coming forward. It was very noticeable in December, and you can kind of see it on the court now. The work is paying off for him. He is definitely an incredibly hard worker. No question about that. I think everybody is always improving. Everybody is always trying new things.
“I think with Cam this year, you definitely see that. You see it to a different extent, in a way, much more aggressive player, but I’m just going to try to, you know, to keep going for it and just try to extend my lead in a way.”
Zverev added: “I have a decent relationship with him. I have absolutely no issues. I have practised with him a few times in Monaco, as well, in December. I played a few practice sets, as well.
“We know each other well. There is no question about that. But obviously he’s playing great tennis, beating Casper. I think Casper was undefeated in Australia so far this year, also playing great tennis.
“Although I did find the match a bit weird maybe. Not weird, but just a lot of back-and-forth, in a way, especially in the third set, Casper being up a break and then all of a sudden losing, I think it was three or four games in a row, something like that, to lose the set. But obviously the match was at a very high level. I’m looking forward to a tough match.”
Norrie had lost his previous three matches against Ruud before recording his best ever win at a Grand Slam – and will do the same as he prepares for a new personal best against the world No 6.
“I sat down yesterday with (his coach) Facu (Lugones) and watched the matches with Casper back, and we talked a lot about what wasn’t working. I think there will be a lot of things in there with Zverev.
“The last few times I have played him it’s kind of been a similar match every time, a tough kind of set, and then he’s run away with it. But I’m looking forward to watching the match and we’ll see.”
