Cameron Norrie said he used the crowd tactics deployed by Andy Murray to be fired in his third round of Wimbledon defeat of Italy’s Matteo Bellucci.
The 29-year-old played on the court (he called it his favorite game) said he picked the crowd to drain their energy as he fought with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 6-3 6-3 victory.
“I think it’s important to use the crowd to improve your strengths,” he said.
“Today I just pulled up from random people in the crowd and got fired by them. You can see that they liked it.”
Focusing on the particularly enthusiastic people in the crowd motivating themselves is a strategy that Murray often uses for three-time Grand Slam champion.
Last year, in Wells, former world No. 1 Murray paid tribute to a fan who provided constant support for David Goffin in his first round victory over David Goffin.
“I want to draw energy from my team, and from some random people in the crowd. I’ve seen Andy Murray do a lot of things in the game,” Norry added.
“They were watching tennis there. They were enjoying there. I wanted to try to give them some cheers.
“I think people really like it when you look at them and get fired. They feel like they play a role in the victory.”
Norrie’s victory over World 73 Bellucci means he remains the last British man in the All England Club men’s singles.
He has been better than the UK’s No. 1 Jack Draper, who suffered a shocked second-round exit on Thursday, but ensured that the UK’s interest is not over yet as he booked his position for the second time in his career in the last 16 times.
Overcoming a harsh test in two rounds against Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut, then at least on paper, Norrie faces a more direct task.
The Italian enjoyed his best career in the Grand Slam but caused problems for Nori in a tense first set.
Norrie is currently ranked 61 in the world, strode towards the storm before comfortably navigating the next two and meeting with Nicolas Jarry of Chile.
Briton Sonay Kartal’s fellow booked her spot earlier in the fourth round, seeing her spot in France’s Diane Parry 6-4 6-2, while Britain’s No. 1 Emma Raducanu faced the world’s No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
