Norrie Gears Up for Alcaraz Showdown: ‘I’m Ready to Challenge Him’
British ace sets the stage for a thrilling second-round encounter with top seed Alcaraz in Paris.
October 27, 2025
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Cameron Norrie readies himself for a rematch against Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday in Paris.
By Jerome Coombe
Cameron Norrie is determined to wrap up his season on a high note for the second consecutive year, and what better challenge than to go toe-to-toe with the world’s No. 1, Carlos Alcaraz?
The 30-year-old Brit will clash with Alcaraz in the second round of the Rolex Paris Masters, just four months after a straight-sets defeat to the Spaniard in their Wimbledon quarter-final match. This time, under the dazzling lights of La Defense Arena, Norrie aims for a dramatically different result.
“It’s a match to savor. He’s among the top two players in the world, alongside Jannik [Sinner],” Norrie shared with ATPTour.com. “I plan to take the fight to him… I’ve had some intense battles with him before, and I’m excited for more.”
Norrie advanced to the second round after a gritty win over Sebastian Baez, triumphing 6-3, 6-4. The match featured a whirlwind of six service breaks, providing him with crucial court time to adjust to the new atmosphere at the ATP Masters 1000 event.
“I felt a bit nervous, but it’s refreshing to play here in La Défense,” acknowledged Norrie, currently ranked World No. 31. “Those are the kinds of matches you want to experience — overcoming nerves and performing well, so that felt good.”
After suffering a setback at Wimbledon, where Alcaraz leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 5-2, Norrie believes this encounter may be different. Adjustments to court speed could benefit his strong topspin forehand.
“Absolutely, I prefer these conditions. Last year, the surface was so fast that I struggled to find my rhythm,” noted Norrie. “Now, the ball is bouncing higher, which is excellent for my forehand; I can really get some revolutions on it.”
Yet, facing Alcaraz is no easy feat. The 22-year-old prodigy leads the Tour with eight titles this year, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, and enters the match revitalized after clinching the Tokyo title.
“On this surface, where the ball tends to bounce a lot, I’ll need to keep it varied and be ready for anything,” Norrie emphasized. “He has a thoroughly complete game and is brimming with confidence, so I must bring my A-game to have a chance.”
“I’m putting all past disappointments behind me. After his straightforward win over me at Wimbledon, I definitely have some motivation to step up my performance this time around.”
Norrie faced disruptions in his 2024 season due to a forearm injury, which caused him to miss both the Paris Olympics and the US Open. However, he found his groove again, reaching the final of an ATP 250 event in Metz.
Now, with a successful 2025 campaign that included a Top 10 victory over Lorenzo Musetti in Washington, Norrie is prepared to showcase his resilience against the very best. A victory against Alcaraz would undoubtedly make a bold statement.
