Over the past two decades, Novak Djokovic, with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, took over the world of tennis and it was as though no one except them could win any of the big tournaments. Amongst the Big Three that held the reigns of tennis for the two decades, Djokovic continues surpassing all the numbers.
With some analysts already predicting the Serbian to win 30 Grand Slam before retirement, even though it sounds astonishing, even Cameron Norrie has voiced his praise for Djokic considering him above the other legend of the Big Three.
Cameron Norrie ranks Novak Djokovic as his most difficult rival
Cameron Norrie became the British hope for the future when he defeated Carlos Alcaraz at the Rio Open in February and reached the semifinals of Wimbledon last year. He has recently revealed that Novak Djokovic is above Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at his peak.
So many players have different allegiances in respect to the Big Three. However, with recent number of titles Novak Djokovic has won, many are predicting him to be the GOAT, as perhaps is the case for Norrie.
Cameron Norrie has made his preference clear and he believes Novak Djokovic is the best when it comes to playing at the highest level. The Serbian kept adding titles to his resume this season – winning his 40th Masters 1000 title in Rolex Paris Masters, seventh Nitto ATP Finals title and his 24th Grand Slam. Djokovic also defeated Cameron Norrie in the knockout phase of the Davis Cup before falling to Italy in semifinals.
“Djokovic was at the highest level of the three. It was the toughest match-up for me. But Novak has taken his game to the next level in the last few years and that is proved by the titles he has won,” said Norrie on Djokovic.
“I played Federer at Wimbledon two years ago and had a lot of chances in that match. I didn’t start too well and the first couple of sets in that match could have done differently. He played really well in the fourth set,” the British star said about facing Roger Federer.
Novak Djokovic once criticized Cameron Norrie’s sportsmanship
After Novak Djokovic defeated Cameron Norrie at the Italian Open in Rome in what Djokovic described as “combination of things”, including Norrie’s frequent and vocal fist‑pumping after successful points. However, after the match Djokovic, who usually has a warm shake with his opponents at the net, gave the Brit an extremely cold handshake.
“From the very beginning, I don’t know, he was doing all the things that were allowed,” Djokovic said. “He’s allowed to take a medical timeout. He’s allowed to hit a player. He’s allowed to say ‘c’mon’ in the face more or less every single point from basically the first game. Those are the things that we players know in the locker room it’s not fair play, it’s not how we treat each other. But, again, it’s allowed.”
“I got along with Cameron really well all these years that he’s been on the tour. Practised with each other. He’s a very nice guy off the court, so I don’t understand this kind of attitude on the court, to be honest. But it is what it is. He brought the fire, and I responded to that. I’m not going to allow someone behaving like this just bending my head. I’m going to respond to that. That’s all it is. What happens on the court, we leave it on the court, and we move on.”
However, all this seems to have been forgotten, as when the duo played at the Davis Cup knockout stage where they had a warm handshake and shoulder tapping.
