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Cam Norrie: Indian Wells winner is ‘great example’, says Andy Murray as low-key star becomes British No.1

Praising his rival Norrie, 26, who has become British number one, Murray, 34, said: 'I think he's a great example for not just British players but all tennis players'

Andy Murray has hailed Britain’s new number one Cam Norrie as a “great example” for others after his stunning win at tennis’s unofficial “fifth major”.

Norrie, 26, beat Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili to win the Indian Wells Masters title in California propelling him to a career high world ranking of 15 having started the season at 71.

Admitting his British rival’s victory had caught him by surprise, Murray, whose best result at Indian Wells was runner-up in 2009, said: “I’d be lying if I said that I called that to be honest. However, I have spent a decent amount of time around him and practised with him quite a lot and he works extremely hard.

“I think he’s a great example for not just British players but all tennis players to look at and go, if you put the effort in day in, day out and properly dedicate yourself to the sport, have an attitude like he does, it can take you a long, long way.

“I knew he was good, but to be top 20 in the world and pushing for a spot in the tour finals is an incredible effort.”

After Sunday’s win, for which he also won £900,000, Norrie said: “This means so much to me. It’s my biggest title. I’m so happy. I cannot even describe my emotions.

“It is absolutely massive for me and my team. If you had told me I’d win before it had started, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s amazing.”

Cameron Norrie of Great Britain poses with the winner's trophy after victory over Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia in their men's final match at the Indian Wells tennis tournament on October 17, 2021 in Indian Wells, California. - Cameron Norrie's breakthrough season reached a high point in the California desert on Sunday with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over Nikoloz Basilashvili to become the first Briton to win the ATP Indian Wells title. Norrie rallied from a set down to earn his career best 47th win of the season and is the first player from Britain to lift the trophy, achieving what former finalists Andy Murray, Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski failed to do. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Norrie beat Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia to win the title known as the “fifth major” (Photo: Frederic J. Brown/ AFP)
Britain's Andy Murray speaks during a press conference ahead of the European Open Tennis ATP tournament, in Antwerp on October 18, 2021. (Photo by LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ / various sources / AFP) / Belgium OUT (Photo by LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ/Belga/AFP via Getty Images)
Andy Murray praised his rival Norrie in a press conference in Antwerp (Photo: Laurie Dieffembacq/AFP)

His ascent to the near top of the game, via a steady rise in the rankings, has been far more low key than Murray or fellow Brit Emma Raducanu who won the US Open last month via qualifying aged 18-year-old.

Born in South Africa, Norrie’s Scottish father David and Welsh mother Helen moved to New Zealand when he was three and raised him and sister Bronwen there.

Norrie, who also revealed his trainers went missing before the match forcing him to play in fresh pair, dedicated his win to his family, adding: “I have lost in a lot of finals so it’s good to win a big one. This title is for my family at home in New Zealand.”

As a youngster Norrie rose to become a top prospect in Auckland and was once ranked in the world’s top ten juniors. He moved to the UK at 16 at the invitation of the Lawn Tennis Association but at first found it overwhelming .

He once said: “That was when I stopped enjoying tennis a little bit. It was just too much. I was used to being in a normal school and then I came here and I was practising every day. I was staying at the National Tennis Centre and everything was about tennis.

“At the time it didn’t feel the right move for my well-being and I wasn’t the happiest but I’m happy I moved. I think it’s almost impossible to play tennis based in New Zealand.”

Norrie switched allegiance to Britain in 2013 and a year later got a scholarship to Texas Christian University in the United States, where he established himself as a star performer on the prestigious college circuit.

He turned professional in 2017 and broke into the top 100 within a year, making a memorable Davis Cup debut in February 2018 when he came back from two sets down to defeat Spanish world number 23 Roberto Bautista Agut on clay.

This season has seen his career reach a new level reaching six finals – including at Queen’s in June – a feat only matched by world number one Novak Djokovic.

Among them was his first ATP tour title three months ago in the Los Cabos Open in Mexico.

Talking about how others can benefit from the success of Raducanu and Norrie, the new champion’s former coach James Trotman told i: “I think it makes it feel achievable for the players around them [Norrie and Raducanu]. Because they’re training with them, they’re on the court next to them, they’re practising with them. And for them to feel and to see that it’s possible is massive. There’s definitely a real buzz now around everybody and the way the players are performing.”

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