Cam Norrie insists he played ‘within the rules’ during his Italian Open clash with Novak Djokovic

Cam Norrie has returned to Novak Djokovic after the Wimbledon champion accused him of underhanded tactics during their stormy encounter at the Italian Open.

The British number one is in no mood to make peace with the 36-year-old Serb, whom he drilled with an overhead when they met in Rome. Djokovic also suggested that the spirit of fair play had been violated with an injury timeout and overly aggressive verbal actions during an unusually spirited duel.

Norrie – who will face Frenchman Lucas Pouille in the second round of Roland Garros on Wednesday – is a phlegmatic character off the pitch, but stubbornly competitive on the pitch.

Playing against Djokovic in Italy, he appeared to be annoyed at the Serbian champion arriving late for what was the first match of the day. He also denied there was any intent to cause damage when he hit the ball to his opponent from a smash.

“I immediately apologized and I didn’t see him,” said Norrie, seeded 14 at the French Open. “I looked up and hit the ball low. I didn’t see him turn around and admit the point.

“It was one of those games where he is one of the best players in the world and I wanted to do my best and fight as hard as possible.

“I didn’t think I was in his face at all. I think if anyone knows me I’m pretty loud in some matches. No, for me it was a regular tennis match. I felt my hip a little and took medical time out. It’s within the rules.’

Norrie should have waited in the hallway of the Foro Italico before the game started in the morning. He admitted he was shocked to later discover that so much leeway has been given by ATP Tour officials to players who don’t show up on time.

“They told me it was within the rules. He wanted a little more time on the physio bed and the game was scheduled for 11:00 am. And we walked out maybe at 11:12, 11:13. I don’t think he saw any problem with that.

“He never said anything to me and he never apologised. I asked, “Is that okay to do that?” They said, ‘Yes, it’s within the rules.’ After 15 minutes he is given notice of default. I’ve never seen that before, but I think it’s within the rules given what they said.

“I’ve never seen that from a player. Regardless of whether it’s a tennis match or not, you’ll be on time for whatever it is. I didn’t know the rules, but now I do. Normally I’m quite punctual, I can’t really identify with it.’

The lax regulations help explain why tennis matches so rarely start at the advertised time. By comparison, in professional golf, if a player misses their tee time by more than five minutes, it is a disqualification, and there is a penalty of two shots for each lateness.

Norrie could theoretically face Djokovic in the French Open semifinals, but to do so he will have to improve on his narrow first-round victory against Benoit Paire.

The game was played against a background of very partisan home support, and it will be no different when he tackles Pouille, who is a sentimental favorite at this French Open.

While currently ranked 645th, the 29-year-old was previously as high as number ten before a combination of injuries and mental health issues knocked him down.

Pouille underwent elbow surgery in 2021 and plunged into a spiral of depression when his comeback failed to deliver results. After contemplating quitting altogether, he began to rebuild his career, and his first-round victory was met with emotional scenes as he was cheered by the crowd.

Norrie will find himself friendless again as he attempts to erase one of the tournament’s developing human interest stories.