AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 23, 2026

Cameron Norrie

Press Conference

A. ZVEREV/C. Norrie

7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. He said it was the best you'd played against him, not the closest, but what did you think?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I thought the level was really good from the match. First three sets, very good. I was maybe a slight dip in that third set, but yeah, it was kind of constant pressure I thought in all departments of the game.

You know, he was serving well, returning well, forehand, backhand moving, and I had to really take a lot of risks to hang with him. And I think I can take a lot of confidence knowing I can play at that level with him, but I dropped off the beginning of the fourth, for sure. That went very quickly 3-Love, double break down.

I was at that point a little bit too late, especially against a caliber like Alex. So it a nice match. I played really well. I enjoyed 95% of it. It was just that beginning of the fourth, though, feeling not so good about.

Q. Do you have any physical hangover from nine sets already?

CAMERON NORRIE: No, I actually felt fine physically. Mentally good, too. Yeah, I played such a good first set. I was unfortunate to lose that one. That point to get broken at 5-All, I couldn't play much better really. I should make that volley at the end, though.

But I felt fine physically. I actually felt it was a little bit similar to the match with Novak in US Open, you know, playing so well two sets to one -- or one set all, sorry, and then I drop I think a little bit intensity a little bit, stopped getting fired up as much. So something to look into there.

But I think that's credit to Sascha putting so much pressure on me in all areas, like I said, and he gave me nothing, nothing at all. Maybe on that set point a little bit slow second serve and then a very tight forehand, but other than that was really good level.

I told the father it was the best level he's played against me, and I think in terms of maybe at Wimbledon, too, it was very good. I was impressed, and I had to take a lot of risks to hang with him.

Yeah, I was just a little upset with the beginning of the fourth, and that was purely mental. Nothing physical. Nothing else, so yeah.

Q. As you say, you did take a lot of risks. You came out super aggressive. Did you feel like that was kind of the only way that you were going to be able to really take it to him?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, like the other times I lost to him, I played my way kind of making it tough for him, but not being uncomfortable myself.

Every time was the same. 7-6, 6-1 or 7-6, 6-4. So I knew I had to do something different. Last time in Australian Open, I watched that match this morning, and it was so fun to watch. I definitely had to come in more and be determined at the net and use the dropshot when I needed to.

I did that for three sets, and then it was difficult after that. But, yeah, it was fun. Nice the way I started the match, and the first two sets were so, so good level.

Q. You mentioned it, but I was going to ask, what's your level of comfort while playing that way?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I feel in those courts and on that match I feel comfortable. I'm enjoying all of it, and it's exactly the matches you want to play.

I think it's another bit of experience, you know, to push yourself in those moments, third round of a Grand Slam against one of the best players in the world at the moment. Yeah, I think I just need to get better.

You know, there's nothing else, but I know I can hang with him for two hours, two hours 30, and I dropped after that. They're used to playing at that level for long periods of time. So I think that's how I see it, so I can take a lot of confidence from that.

But how can I sustain that for longer, and how can I -- for him, I think it's normal, and for me I'm feeling like I'm pushing, pushing, pushing. Then I drop a little bit, and then, boom, it's match done very quickly.

Yeah, it's a lot of credit to him, but I think I can take a lot from this match and a lot of confidence from, you know, getting through a couple of tough matches and then getting to play these kind of matches that you really want to play.

Q. Your last four slam losses now are Zverev, Carlos, a couple to Novak. What do you think that says about you, especially in this format, that a lot of people might struggle over best-of-five?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, we were talking with my coach Facu this week before every match, like, look at the guys you lost to in the other slams, and they're all top players, and you've had battles with every one, but you managed to get through.

I think it says a lot about my focus. I think that's what I can take so much confidence from is regardless of how you're playing, you know, some days you're not going to be hitting the ball as well, other days better and some shots better than others.

I think mentally I've been able to bring just points in, points out, such a tough level against all types of opponents to go not so deep in all of them, but at least I think third round in the last few.

Yeah, I think that's great, and I think it says why I'm a bit more experienced than some of the other guys. I'm in best-of-five-set matches, and yeah, it's good fun playing these tournaments and nice to come here feeling healthy and enjoying.

Still disappointed not to go further, but these are the matches you want to be playing.

Q. We spoke the other day about you being the last man standing, which is obviously great for you. We want more getting into the third round and into the second week from British players. Do you think Britain is underachieving, kind of punching under its weight?

CAMERON NORRIE: Could be, but I think there's so much to come. There are so many players, younger players especially, coming through. I think it was a little bit unfortunate with some injuries this year. Jack, as well.

But I think we need to be patient, and I don't see why not there can be at least five, six, seven guys in the top 100, and we're doing everything we can. I think it will help when Jack is back healthy, and I have no doubt Jack is going to come back firing.

I think for those guys especially, you know, they're in and around Jack's age. They can take a lot of confidence playing juniors with Jack and then Jack doing well, and Jack inspiring them and relating to him, as well as me.

I think we have to be patient, but for sure, it's coming. We have such great coaches, such great people, and I don't see why not. If everyone is doing the right thing, they can make it, because we have the talent.

Q. Davis Cup still the plan next?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yes, for sure. Looking forward to that. Really looking forward to it. Get back to Europe and then we'll head there, I think, on Saturday or Sunday, because it's a little bit earlier start. I think we start Thursday, Friday, so...

Q. Have you been in touch with Jack at all or not?

CAMERON NORRIE: I haven't, no, but fingers crossed he is still going. It will be nice to even practice with him and see his level, and we always have amazing practices, so I'm looking forward to that and spending time with him.

Q. In general, it must be pretty exciting after the way you've kind of built your ranking and improved over the past year to just look ahead to this year and try to improve even more and continue to rise as well?

CAMERON NORRIE: For sure. I can't be any more happy where I am. It will always be nice to be higher, but I think the most important thing is I'm healthy, I'm feeling confident, I have a great team, there's no stress anywhere else in my life. So I'm enjoying everything, and I think that's so much fun to come to these slams, play these matches, and just compete as hard as I can.

I'm looking forward to the year, and I want to keep going out there and playing matches like this where I can push myself and challenge these guys. But I'm feeling excited for the year, to be honest, and just there's going to be ups and downs, for sure, but I'm just going to go and keep enjoying.