ROLAND GARROS

May 29, 2025

Cameron Norrie

Press Conference

C. NORRIE/F. Gomez

7-6, 6-2, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Cam, how did you feel out there?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, it was completely different kind of a match today. Different emotions going into the match being the favorite. Really different playing on a much smaller court. I was obviously a bit nervous for the match. I was excited as well.

I played a very steady kind of 6, 7 out of 10 for the whole time. Yeah, it showed in the score. I was very happy with the way I handled it. I felt I didn't play amazing, didn't play that badly. Didn't give him much. So it was a good day.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Tell us about the atmosphere.

CAMERON NORRIE: Yes, it was completely different atmosphere than the other day playing on that smaller court, where there was another court next to me. There were a few Argentinian fans, a few British fans. It was pretty good for a second-round match. Just in general, the outside courts, seems like all of them are completely packed. It was really good to see.

But I think it's quite difficult to watch a lot of matches being a fan. But it's great to see that everyone's so into the matches. Yeah, I think the atmosphere especially in Fils and Munar match was unbelievable. Before I was playing, I was warming up, I was hearing the crowd there was really cool. The French definitely bring a good atmosphere when it comes to their own players.

Q. How well do you know Federico? I was reading a bit about his story, this thing about he posted back in March saying he's been considering quitting, even having suicidal thoughts. Wondering how much you knew about his background.

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I saw that, as well. I practiced with him I think it was either just after Delray Beach tournament. We were both kind of based around there. We practiced.

My coach knows him. He's Argentinian. I know some of his coaches. I knew he's a really nice guy. Yeah, for me, you would not peg that. When he posted that, I was very surprised.

Yeah, I don't know. I haven't really spoken to him or asked him. I'm not that close with him to be asking him these kind of questions. But for me, I just told him after the match it seems like he's enjoying his tennis a lot more, moving well, playing free. He lost in the last round of qualifying, then to win a match is massive.

Yeah, I don't think it's an easy life to play tennis. If you have a different perspective, there's so much, you can kind of feel like there's a lot of pressure, there's constant pressure. You're playing another match, you're playing another tournament, the ranking, you're always chasing, you're always chasing.

I don't know him that well. I know he's such a nice guy. For me, I was really, really impressed with his level today. That's all I can comment on that. But it was nice to see him having a lot of energy out there and playing, fighting. He's a good player.

Q. I think you've reached the third round here four times in five years. You didn't really play on red clay much when you were younger. I remember the Davis Cup match, very new experience for you, in Spain. Do you feel you've done well here through the years? Maybe exceeded expectations that you initially had when you came here?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I feel like I'm improving as the years go on. I think even how I'm adapting so quickly to playing on the clay. In Monte-Carlo, practicing, I was feeling good already.

I think, yeah, just in my other kind of third-round matches, I feel like I was putting expectations a bit higher, going in wanting to win, wanting to do well.

I think, yeah, I lost to Rafa once. It was a tough one. Then Musetti. And Khachanov. Both really slow night-match conditions. I didn't feel good in the past playing at night.

I've improved. I think it's a completely different mindset. You know, making the third round now, with another good opportunity, playing either Jacob or Humbert. Both very good players.

For me, I'm happy to be through and enjoying my tennis again. I'm not going to change anything regardless of who I play. Yeah, I feel like I have a really good game for the clay in general. I think it's down to if I'm moving well and giving nothing away, like I did today. I can be really difficult to beat.