NEW YORK — Cameron Norrie was left to rue a golden opportunity after his US Open campaign came to an end at the hands of a battling Novak Djokovic, with the British number one admitting his own overconfidence may have been his undoing in a dramatic four-set encounter on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The final British singles hope fell in the third round as the 23-time Grand Slam champion fought through apparent physical discomfort to secure a 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 victory. Norrie, who had never taken a set off Djokovic in their previous four meetings, pushed the Serbian legend harder than ever before but was ultimately left to ponder what might have been after failing to capitalize on a commanding position.
A Battle of Attrition and Missed Opportunities
The match was a tale of two halves. Djokovic looked imperious in the first set, breaking Norrie's serve twice with his trademark precision. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second. Djokovic began to show signs of distress, grimacing and stretching his left leg, and his movement appeared compromised. Norrie seized the initiative, playing aggressive, first-strike tennis to claw his way into a tie-break, which he won 7-5 to level the match.
The third set was where the match was truly decided. With Djokovic seemingly vulnerable, Norrie had a series of break points at 2-2 but was unable to convert any of them. The missed chances proved costly, as Djokovic immediately broke Norrie in the next game, a psychological blow from which the Brit never fully recovered. "That was the set," a dejected Norrie later reflected. "I had a lot of chances there and I didn't take them."
Norrie's Candid Admission: 'I Got a Little Bit Comfortable'
In his post-match press conference, Norrie was remarkably candid in his self-assessment, pointing to a lapse in mentality after winning the second set as a key factor in his defeat. He suggested that seeing his opponent struggle physically may have led to a drop in his own intensity. "I think I was a little bit overconfident," Norrie admitted. "I got a little bit comfortable. I dropped a little bit. I wasn't quite as urgent."
This momentary lapse allowed Djokovic to regroup. The champion's ability to raise his level at the most critical moments, a hallmark of his career, was on full display. He began to find his range again, particularly on his devastating backhand, and cut down on the unforced errors that had crept into his game during the second set.
Djokovic's Champion Mentality Shines Through
Despite visible discomfort, Djokovic refused to yield. He played down the extent of his physical issues after the match, instead focusing on his mental fortitude. "I struggled a lot with movement... but it is what it is," Djokovic stated. "You have to fight. You have to try to overcome the circumstances, find a way to win. That's what I did. I'm very proud of that." His performance was a masterclass in problem-solving under pressure, adjusting his tactics to rely more on his serve and first-strike tennis to shorten points and protect his movement.
Norrie was left to admire the very champion's mentality he had failed to match in those crucial moments. The key factors that swung the match in Djokovic's favor included:
- Clinical Conversion: Djokovic saved 8 of the 10 break points he faced.
- Mental Resilience: He immediately broke back after surviving pressure on his own serve.
- First Serve Dominance: He won 80% of points behind his first serve in the final two sets.
- Experience: His ability to manage the match's emotional ebbs and flows proved decisive.
The End of the British Challenge in New York
Norrie's defeat marks the end of the British singles involvement at Flushing Meadows for 2023, following earlier exits for Andy Murray, Dan Evans, and Katie Boulter. While the collective result may be disappointing, Norrie's performance against the world's best player offered significant positives. He demonstrated that his game, built on relentless intensity and a potent forehand, can trouble the very elite on the sport's biggest stages.
Reflecting on the tournament as a whole, Norrie took the long view. "It's a good step for me to have a match like that with him and to be able to put myself in a position to maybe get through that match," he said. "It was a good learning curve for me."
Looking Ahead: Lessons for Norrie and Djokovic
For Norrie, the match serves as a painful but valuable lesson in the levels of sustained focus required to slay a giant. The difference between a good player and a great champion is often a matter of millimeters and milliseconds, a reality he experienced firsthand. For Djokovic, the victory, however hard-fought, keeps him on course for a record-extending 24th Grand Slam title. He advances to a fourth-round clash with Croatian qualifier Borna Gojo, a chance to recover and refine his game as the tournament enters its second week.
The match in New York will be remembered as another example of Djokovic's incredible will to win. For Cameron Norrie, it will be remembered as the one that got away, a brutal reminder that against the sport's immovable objects, confidence must be matched with cold, clinical execution until the very last point is won. "He's just so good at elevating at those times," Norrie conceded, paying tribute to the victor. "That's why he is one of the best of all time."