Cameron Norrie Explains Why ‘Complete Player’ Jannik Sinner Is Tough to Beat After Exhibition Match Ahead of Wimbledon

Just a few more days are left for the Wimbledon main draw to start. Jannik Sinner will play as the defending champion and will also be chasing his sixth title of the season after his wins in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome.

But before Wimbledon, the Italian chose not to compete in any warm-up tournaments and instead played the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic exhibition at the Hurlingham Club. He clinched an easy 6-3, 6-3 win over Cameron Norrie, who, during the press conference, explained what makes the four-time Grand Slam champion so tough to beat.

He served really well today. It was my first time playing him on grass, and he’s just such a complete player. I felt in some moments, I overplayed. And in some moments, I didn’t do enough. You have to find that balance almost perfect to have a chance with him. But yeah, I would have liked to have tested him a little more today, physically.

Norrie has played Sinner in an official match just once and lost it. They met in the fourth round of this year’s Madrid Open.

You know, it’s a hot day, and to just try to get into some rallies. But he didn’t really allow that, and I was missing too early. So credit on his side. And I could have done a bit more, but he pushes you to play a bit more. Like, even in that first game, I played a good game, and he read a couple of my shots, and I got broken. And suddenly you’re on the back foot for the match.

Cameron Norrie added

Norrie has played just one Grand Slam semifinal so far in his career, reaching the stage in 2022 and losing the match to eventual champion Novak Djokovic. He also reached another Major quarterfinal (in last year’s Wimbledon, which he lost to eventual runner-up Carlos Alcaraz).

Norrie has yet to reach a final since losing last year’s Moselle Open to Learner Tien. The 30-year-old last won a title at the 2023 Rio Open by defeating Alcaraz.

Jannik Sinner picks his favorite for Wimbledon

Carlos Alcaraz, who played in the finals in the previous three seasons at SW19, won’t be competing this time because of a wrist injury. And in his absence, Jannik Sinner will be the overwhelming favorite to win the title.

The 24-year-old was asked at the press conference after the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic exhibition who he thinks are the contenders for the grass-court Major.

I would love to say it will be me, but I know perfectly well how difficult it is. I’ve experienced it once already. Then there’s Novak, who has won here seven times and is still playing at an incredible level. This is probably his best surface. Carlos won’t be there, and that changes many things. Also, many young players are coming up strong. I watched the Queen’s final, and [Francisco] Cerundolo played spectacular tennis. 

Djokovic had eliminated Sinner in the semifinals of this year’s Australian Open before losing the final to Alcaraz, which made the Spaniard the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam. The Serb also chose not to feature in any warm-up tournaments before Wimbledon. He won his seventh title in the tournament in 2022 by defeating Nick Kyrgios.

Cerundolo has played two finals this year, winning both. After defeating Luciano Darderi at the Argentina Open, Cerundolo lifted his career’s first ATP 500 title at the Queen’s Club Championship after overcoming Tommy Paul. It was also Cerundolo’s second title on grass after the 2023 Eastbourne International.

Also read: Darren Cahill Reveals Some Silent Details About Jannik Sinner’s Character off the Tennis Court