NEW YORK — British number one Cameron Norrie arrives at the 2024 US Open with a clear, if daunting, mission: to devise a game plan capable of upsetting the legendary Novak Djokovic. His strategy is informed not just by tape study, but by a fiery encounter in Rome last year that saw him successfully get under the Serb’s skin, a rare feat that provides a blueprint for what is required on the sport’s biggest stages.
The memorable third-round clash at the 2023 Italian Open was a masterclass in mental fortitude from Norrie. He weathered an early storm from Djokovic, who cruised through the first set 6-3, and then mounted a stunning comeback to take the second set 6-2. The match’s pivotal moment came in the decider, with Norrie leading 2-1 and Djokovic serving. After a grueling rally, Norrie struck a passing shot that Djokovic believed had bounced twice before his opponent hit it. The chair umpire disagreed, awarding the point to Norrie, and sparking a furious reaction from the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
The Rome Incident: Drawing Djokovic's Ire
Djokovic’s anger was palpable. He screamed at the umpire, "Look at the replay. What are you doing? Why are you afraid to call it? He's not looking at the ball, he's looking at the mark. Are you blind? You're absolutely awful. Tell him to look at the mark. What is this? This is unbelievable." The tirade continued during the changeover, with Djokovic demanding the supervisor be called and sarcastically applauding the official. Norrie, meanwhile, remained remarkably composed amidst the chaos, a lesson he carries with him.
In the aftermath, Djokovic was blunt in his assessment, telling reporters, "I did what I had to do. The facts are that he hit the ball after the second bounce. It's not my call. It's the call of the chair umpire... I saw it, and the whole stadium saw it." Despite the controversy, Norrie held his nerve to close out the match 6-3 in the third, securing one of the biggest wins of his career and proving he could not only compete with but also mentally disrupt the very best.
The Blueprint: Norrie's US Open Game Plan
So, what is the game plan born from that fiery encounter in Rome? Norrie’s approach against a player of Djokovic’s caliber is multifaceted, built on a foundation of extreme physicality and mental resilience. It is not about outplaying Djokovic in every department for three hours—a near-impossible task—but about executing a specific, high-risk strategy with unwavering belief.
The key pillars of Norrie’s potential plan include:
- Relentless Depth and Accuracy: Hitting deep, heavy groundstrokes to neutralize Djokovic’s aggressive returns and prevent him from taking control of the rally early.
- Targeting the Backhand: While Djokovic’s backhand is a weapon, consistent and heavy traffic to that side can draw errors or create openings down the line.
- Embracing the Physical Battle: Preparing for long, grueling rallies and trusting his own elite fitness to withstand Djokovic’s punishing style.
- Mental Fortitude: Staying calm during Djokovic’s inevitable moments of frustration and maintaining focus on his own game, point by point.
Norrie himself has spoken about the necessity of this approach. After a practice session in New York, he noted, "You have to be ready for a war. You can't give him any cheap points. You have to be physical, you have to be strong, and you have to try and take it to him. You have to believe you can win every point and not be afraid to go for your shots."
The Historical Context: A Daunting Task
The historical record underscores the magnitude of Norrie’s challenge. Djokovic holds a commanding 3-1 lead in their head-to-head meetings. While Norrie’s victory in Rome stands out, their most recent encounter was a comprehensive 6-2, 6-1 win for Djokovic in the ATP Finals later in 2023, a stark reminder of the Serb’s ability to learn, adapt, and dominate in revenge scenarios.
Djokovic's Revenge Factor
This "revenge factor" is a well-documented part of the Djokovic legend. He has an incredible record in rematches against players who have previously beaten him, often winning in straight sets with a display of focused intensity. Norrie is acutely aware that the Djokovic he could face at Flushing Meadows will be a different proposition from the one in Rome; he will be sharper, more motivated, and less likely to be thrown off by gamesmanship or controversy.
Furthermore, Djokovic’s motivation at the US Open will be sky-high. After missing the tournament in 2022 due to travel restrictions, he returned in 2023 only to fall just short in the final against Carlos Alcaraz. He will be laser-focused on claiming a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and avenging last year's defeat, making him an even more formidable opponent.
Conclusion: Belief Forged in Fire
For Cameron Norrie, the path to a historic upset at the US Open is narrow but not impossible. The blueprint exists, forged in the clay-court fire of Rome. It requires a perfect storm of tactical discipline, physical peak, and, most importantly, the unshakable belief that he can replicate the mental disruption that worked so effectively before.
The Rome victory proved that Djokovic, while arguably the greatest of all time, is not impervious to frustration when things are not going his way. Norrie’s plan will be to create those moments again, to extend rallies, to challenge every ball, and to force Djokovic to win points on his terms. As Norrie put it, "You have to be the one controlling the points and being the aggressor. It's easier said than done against Novak."
The tennis world will be watching to see if the British number one can execute this high-risk, high-reward strategy. While the odds remain overwhelmingly in Djokovic's favor, Norrie’s game plan, born from a moment of anger and triumph, gives him a puncher’s chance to cause a seismic shock in New York.