Cameron Norrie withdraws from Davis Cup qualifier against Japan after continuing to battle with sickness
Published 26/01/2025 at 09:29 GMT
Cameron Norrie largely had a year to forget in 2024, and 2025 has started on a dour note too. The 29-year-old will play no part in the Davis Cup qualifier against Japan in Miki, with the former British No. 1 struggling to shrug off the illness which has plagued the start of his season. Great Britain will also be without Jack Draper for the qualifier due to a hip problem.
Norrie admits to being 'pretty sick' ahead of first-round loss at Australian Open
Video credit: SNTV
Cameron Norrie will not take part in Great Britain's Davis Cup tie against Japan after being forced to pull out through illness.
The news comes as another blow for Great Britain in their preparations for this first-round tie, with Jack Draper already ruled out as he continues his recovery from a hip injury.
Norrie’s withdrawal means that Britain will have no singles players ranked inside the world’s top 75 when the qualifier takes place next Friday and Saturday.
It has been a frustrating start to the year for the former British No. 1, who was beaten by Matteo Berrettini in the Australian Open first round.
The 29-year-old has been battling illness since competing in Auckland, where he was knocked out by Facundo Diaz Acosta in the round of 32.
Speaking after his defeat to Berrettini, Norrie said: "I haven't been able to prepare as well as I could.
"I've been pretty sick in Auckland, then, I came here. I barely practised. Honestly, I've been feeling the ball so well, and pre-season was excellent. It was a bit unfortunate with the timing.
"I definitely gave myself the best chance. I just hit the wall after an hour and a bit. I wasn’t able to stay sharp on the court, so it’s a bit disappointing."
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Drama at Auckland Classic as Norrie strikes fan with flying racquet
Video credit: SNTV
Tensions boiled over in his loss to Diaz Acosta, as Norrie was cautioned during the match for unsportsmanlike conduct after throwing his racquet into the crowd.
Reflecting on the incident, he said: "I wasn't meaning to do that but it's still not ideal to be doing that and I've never done something like that.
"She [the spectator] was laughing and I just said 'so sorry, I didn't mean to do that’. And she said 'yeah, I'm completely OK’.
"That was not a big deal. But as we saw with some other players, you can easily be defaulted if it catches them in the wrong spot or they're not looking or something.
"I was not meaning to do that and it is completely not me to do something like that. I apologised very quickly and I want to apologise in general. I'm not happy with how I behaved."
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Berrettini battles back to defeat Britain's Norrie - Australian Open highlights
Video credit: TNT Sports
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Jan Choinski – ranked world No. 180 – replaces Norrie and takes his place in the team, with Jacob Fearnley and Billy Harris also expected to play in the singles.
Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury are expected to be the doubles pair.
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