Cameron Norrie is a British tennis success story sneaking under the radar

What we talk about when we talk about current British tennis: Emma Raducanu’s rapid rise, and Andy Murray’s nascent comeback. It’s unsurprising that the teenage Raducanu’s truly extraordinary feat of triumphing in the US Open from the qualifying stages – without dropping a set – dominates the conversation. Nor that Murray’s exertions back on the ATP Tour after his hip surgery focus the attention of fans hungry to extend the joys of watching the “big four”. But in the meantime, there’s a sporting success story sneaking under the radar of the public: Cameron Norrie.

It is debatable whether many Wimbledon viewers will recognise the tall, lightly bearded man wearing the rather loose, unfashionable kit with the (natural) silver stripe in his hair, looking like an amiable badger has gone rummaging through the lost-and-found. But though he lacks the aesthetic slickness of his compatriots with their initials-embroidered shoes and eye-popping Nike patterns, Norrie’s lefty topspin-heavy forehand and powerful two-handed backhand provide more than enough X-factor.

The 26-year-old Norrie enjoyed his breakout season last year, powering up the rankings from 74 to 12 and usurping Dan Evans as British No 1. He narrowly landed a spot at the end-of-year ATP Finals in Turin when an in-form Stefanos Tsitsipas had to withdraw with an elbow injury. Novak Djokovic said Norrie was impressing his peers and absolutely “deserved to be there”, and he broke into the world’s top 10 in April. But it was under the October Californian sun where Norrie stepped into the spotlight for the first time. He was very much a surprise winner of the (Covid-delayed) 2021 edition of Indian Wells; his first Masters 1000 title, and only his second ATP singles title,