Cameron Norrie’s performance at the ASB Classic in New Zealand took an unexpected turn on Tuesday.
The British tennis star, who had already faced a tough match, lost in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, to Facundo Diaz.
But it wasn’t just the defeat that caught attention—during the match, Norrie lost control of his racket in a fit of frustration, sending it flying into the audience behind the baseline.
The incident caused a brief scare, though no one was hurt.
Norrie’s Apology and the Fan’s Response
Following the event, Norrie quickly apologized for his actions.
Speaking to reporters, he described the moment as a wake-up call.
He also shared that the fan who had been struck by the racket took it in stride.
“I just said sorry, and she was laughing,” Norrie explained.
“I didn’t mean to do that, and she said she was fine. She was enjoying her drink, so it wasn’t a big deal.”
Norrie emphasized that he was deeply regretful of the incident and noted that such behavior was uncharacteristic of him.
He acknowledged that players can be disqualified if something like this happens in the wrong circumstances.
“It’s not me, and I want to apologize again for how I reacted,” he said.
Struggling with His Timing
In a separate statement, Norrie addressed the source of his frustration: his performance on the court.
“I was missing the ball a lot, and I couldn’t find my timing,” he admitted.
The 29-year-old confessed to feeling disappointed in his attitude during the match, further explaining that the fan had brushed off the incident.
“It barely touched her, and she was laughing. But I didn’t mean to do that.”
Despite the loss, it’s important to note that Norrie had been battling with a rough year, which included a drop out of the ATP Tour’s top 50.
He had recently fought back to No 48 in the rankings, but a bicep injury had sidelined him for almost three months.
Reaction from Fans and Social Media
While Norrie’s apology was well-received by the fan involved, not everyone on social media was as forgiving.
Some fans criticized his actions, with one saying that if the incident had happened outside of New Zealand, Norrie would have been disqualified.
Another fan drew comparisons to Novak Djokovic’s infamous incident in which he accidentally struck a lineswoman, suggesting that there was a difference between a penalty and a disqualification.
Though the incident didn’t result in any lasting damage, the incident served as a reminder of how quickly things can escalate on the court.
For now, Norrie is looking ahead to the upcoming Grand Slam in Melbourne, hoping to leave this frustration behind.
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