Cameron Norrie has admitted to being concerned about a wrist injury ahead of the Australian Open, though he still believes he will be able to compete to his best level at the year’s first grand slam.
Norrie, who is seeded 19th for the Melbourne Park event, withdrew from the Auckland Classic on Thursday ahead of a scheduled quarter-final against Alejandro Tabilo.
That sparked concerns over his fitness ahead of the hard-court major, where he has never been beyond the third round, losing to Jiri Lehecka at that stage of the 2023 tournament.
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Norrie’s Auckland withdrawal came after he felt pain in his left wrist following a third-round win over Luca van Assche on Wednesday, but the British number one hopes a late start at the Australian Open will ensure he is in peak condition.
“There was not a particular moment where I felt something happen or anything,” Norrie, who is scheduled to face Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas in the first round on Tuesday, said of his injury.
“I was a bit sore so I obviously wasn’t able to play. I did a scan. It didn’t show anything too much. I’m here and it’s feeling a bit better.
“I couldn’t play Auckland so obviously I’m concerned, but we’re managing it with my team. It was better today, which is positive.
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“It’s feeling better. I think I’m going to be good. Luckily I’m scheduled to play on Tuesday, so I have a few more days and I’m looking forward to practice tomorrow.”
The main draw of the Australian Open begins on a Sunday for the first time this year, following complaints about regular late finishes at the 2023 edition.
The defending champions in both the men’s and women’s singles events, Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka, headline the event’s first night session, with Jannik Sinner another big name in action on day one.
