Cameron Norrie hails Andre Agassi and Andy Murray as his 'great idols' in tennis, opens up about camaraderie with Murray
Top-ranked British tennis star Cameron Norrie has named tennis legends Andre Agassi and Andy Murray as his idols in the sport, highlighting the impact they have had on his career. Norrie, who is set to play in the Argentina Open final on Sunday, also expressed admiration for Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, a former World No. 7.
Norrie even shed light on his camaraderie with Andy Murray, who he has gotten to know quite well over the years. The World No. 12 said that he has learned a great deal about tennis from the three-time Grand Slam champion.
Speaking of Agassi, Norrie suggested that the American great was one of his earliest idols in the sport, and that he earned more respect for Agassi after reading his popular autobiography titled Open.
"My idol was Andre Agassi. I read his book and he respected him a lot," Cameron Norrie said in a press conference after reaching the Argentina Open final.
The wily lefty player also praised Verdasco as a player.
"I also liked Verdasco who played great games," Norrie added.
Further, the South African-born player stated that he got to know Murray better after moving to London and starting to train with the Briton tennis great. Norrie called Murray his 'great idol.'
"When I moved to London I started training with Andy and I got to know him deeply and I admire him a lot. He is my great idol. I learned many things from him," the 27-year-old conveyed.
Ídolos: "Mi ídolo fue Andre Agassi. Leí su libro y lo respetó mucho. También me gustaba Verdasco que jugó grandes partidos. Cuando me mudé a Londres empecé entrenar con Andy y lo conocí en profundidad y lo admiro mucho. Es mi gran ídolo. Aprendí muchas cosas de él" https://t.co/Yofi6RU5cJ
Norrie will face World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the 2023 Argentina Open final in Buenos Aires with the aim of clinching his 5th ATP singles title.
"The fact that we have someone that we can contact of that level, it's really lucky" - Jay Clarke on Andy Murray
Rising star Jay Clarke recently spoke about Andy Murray's contribution to British tennis, hailing his influence on multiple tennis players in Great Britain, including Emma Raducanu and Liam Broady, among others. Clarke also highlighted some of Murray's most incredible achievements at the highest level in the sport, which includes two Wimbledon titles, a US Open title, and two Olympic gold medals for Great Britain.
Clarke considers himself and fellow compatriots lucky to be able to interact and work closely with Murray every now and then.
"He's been to the pinnacle of the sport, winning Wimbledon, you know, winning the US Open, winning Wimbledon again, being World No. 1, winning the Olympics. Like his achievements are so amazing," Clarke told Sportskeeda on the sidelines of the ATP Challenger event in Chennai.
"So the fact that we have someone that we can contact of that level, it's really lucky."
Andy Murray is set to play in the Qatar Open this week, his first tournament since a memorable Australian Open campaign. Murray begins his campaign in the Round of 16 against Lorenzo Sonego on Monday.