Cameron Norrie wins Madrid Open despite feeling awful

Posted : 25 April 2025

Cameron Norrie secured a spot in the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open after a hard-fought three-set victory over Spanish wildcard Martin Landaluce. The match, which lasted for 2 hours and 41 minutes, saw Norrie emerge victorious with a score of 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-4. Despite facing illness, Norrie battled through and delivered a gritty performance, showcasing his resilience as he looks to regain the form that once propelled him into the ATP Top 10. Currently ranked 91st in the world, Norrie’s victory provided him with a much-needed boost.

Clay is not Norrie’s favorite surface, yet he showed remarkable determination to outlast his 19-year-old opponent. The match was tightly contested, with both players pushing each other to the limit. Norrie’s win was made even more impressive by the fact that he was battling an illness leading up to the match, which made the outcome even more meaningful. The 29-year-old British player admitted that he felt terrible prior to the match, but he managed to push through despite his lack of energy.

After the match, Norrie spoke to Sky Sports, admitting that it was tough to find the motivation to play. "It's terrible timing, but at least I have another day tomorrow to rest," Norrie explained. "Hopefully, it will pass pretty quickly." Despite the exhaustion and illness, Norrie still considered the victory to be one of his favorite wins, citing his low energy and sleepless night leading up to the match as factors that made the victory particularly significant. He also praised his opponent, acknowledging Landaluce’s strong performance.

In the third set, the match hinged on a single game. Landaluce, showing signs of inexperience in crucial moments, made some unforced errors that gave Norrie the break he needed. This proved to be pivotal in the outcome of the match. With the victory in hand, Norrie is now focused on his next challenge, preparing to face Jiri Lehecka in the second round. The two have never faced off on clay before, but Norrie holds a 3-1 head-to-head advantage over Lehecka, with all their previous encounters going the distance.

For Norrie, the immediate priority is to recover quickly from the match and regain his strength before the next round. His performance in Madrid could provide him with an opportunity to climb the rankings, especially given that the section of the draw he is in has been wide open after the late withdrawal of Carlos Alcaraz due to injury. A deep run in Madrid could significantly impact Norrie’s standing and offer a chance for redemption.

Meanwhile, other British players have also made their mark in the tournament. Jacob Fearnley secured a straight-sets win over Yunchaokete Bu, advancing to the second round with a 6-3, 7-6(2) victory. Fearnley will now face Tomas Machac in the next round. Jack Draper, who received a first-round bye as the No. 5 seed, will begin his campaign against Tallon Griekspoor in the second round.

As the tournament progresses, Norrie and his fellow Brits will look to make a strong impact. Norrie’s next challenge against Lehecka is a crucial one, but if he can maintain his focus and recover from the illness, he has the potential to continue advancing and make a significant run at the Madrid Open. With the tournament still wide open, all eyes will be on Norrie to see if he can build on his first-round success and regain his form on the ATP Tour.

Cameron Norrie wins Madrid Open despite feeling awful

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