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Cameron Norrie smashes ball into Novak Djokovic’s legs in tense fight
Cameron Norrie smashes ball into Novak Djokovic’s legs in tense fight
Novak Djokovic was in command from the start and never really let up in beating the 13th-seeded Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Italian Open quarter-finals for the 17th straight year. But early in the second set, Djokovic had already turned his back to the net to concede a break point when an overhead smash by Norrie hit him in the body. Djokovic then turned around and glared at Norrie, who had already raised his hand to apologise.
Novak Djokovic criticised Cameron Norrie’s sportsmanship after their frosty contest on Tuesday in the fourth round of the Italian Open.
Djokovic, the men’s top seed and defending champion, defeated the 13th seed 6-3, 6-4 in a tense match to reach the quarter‑finals of the Italian Open for a record 17th consecutive year, a run that dates back to his first appearance in 2007.
The most notable moment of contention came during the second set. During one point, both players ended up at the net but a weak reflex lob from Djokovic presented Norrie with an easy overhead to finish the point.
With the point surely over, Djokovic turned around and began walking back to the baseline but, seemingly by accident, Norrie struck the back of Djokovic’s foot with his smash. As Norrie put a hand up in apology, Djokovic turned around and stared at Norrie. After the match, however, Djokovic acknowledged that the overhead may have been unintentional.
Cameron Norrie smashes ball into Novak Djokovic’s legs in tense fight
“I did watch the replay when he hit me,” he said. “Yeah, maybe you could say he didn’t hit me deliberately. I don’t know if he saw me. I mean, peripheralically [sic] you can always see where the player is positioned on the court. The ball was super slow and super close to the net. I just turned around because the point was over for me.”
The No 1 seed was less forgiving of Norrie for other qualms he had during the match. Djokovic described his issues as a “combination of things”, including Norrie’s frequent and vocal fist‑pumping after successful points from early in the match and the medical timeout he took before Djokovic served for the match at 5-4. After the match Djokovic, who is usually warm with opponents at the net, gave Norrie an extremely cold handshake.
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“From the very beginning, I don’t know, he was doing all the things that were allowed,” Djokovic said. “He’s allowed to take a medical timeout. He’s allowed to hit a player. He’s allowed to say ‘c’mon’ in the face more or less every single point from basically the first game. Those are the things that we players know in the locker room it’s not fair play, it’s not how we treat each other. But, again, it’s allowed, so …”
Norrie is well liked on the tour and while he is a tenacious competitor on the court against every opponent he is rarely involved in any sort of drama with other players. Djokovic acknowledged the pair had a good relationship off the court.
“I got along with Cameron really well all these years that he’s been on the tour. Practised with each other. He’s a very nice guy off the court, so I don’t understand this kind of attitude on the court, to be honest.
“But it is what it is. He brought the fire, and I responded to that. I’m not going to allow someone behaving like this just bending my head. I’m going to respond to that. That’s all it is. What happens on the court, we leave it on the court, and we move on.”
The match had started with a brief delay as it took Djokovic some time to arrive on the court. Asked if he had any physical issues, Djokovic implied that he did. “Well, yes, I had something, but don’t want to talk about that too much. We had a late warmup today. There were only two practice courts available for so many players. It was not an ideal preparation for the match. I finished my warmup 10 minutes before the match. It was cold. Try to do everything in time. That’s it.”
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H. Marko lashes out at Steiner: Defend Mick Schumacher
Helmut Marko believes Mick Schumacher deserves a return to Formula 1, naming two teams he thinks would consider the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. The 81-year-old Austrian lashes out at Guenther Steiner, who sacked the German at Haas F1 just under two years ago.
“Mick is one of the politest and nicest people in the whole paddock, which is a disadvantage for him. He also has the handicap of a big name,” Marko said in an interview with Sport1.de. “In sporting terms, he has already achieved a lot. He won the Formula 3 championship, he won the Formula 2 championship, that alone made him interesting for Formula 1 teams.”
Schumacher made his Formula 1 debut at Haas F1 in 2021. There, he lasted two seasons. After a disappointing season in 2022, Guenther Steiner showed him the door and they opted for more experience with Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.
Marko: ‘Netflix superstar’ Steiner treated Schumacher unfairly
“As far as we were concerned, there were no sporting reasons why we never got together,” Red Bull Racing’s team advisor explained. “He was a Ferrari junior at the time, but Mercedes took him into the team [afterwards]. So he wasn’t even on the market.”
“At Haas, he was not treated fairly by Netflix superstar Guenther Steiner. That’s a fact. Once you drive outside Formula 1, it becomes a difficult story. But behind the scenes, you only hear good things about him. Toto Wolff praises him to the skies. I think Alpine and Audi are seriously considering him. I wouldn’t begrudge him, because he deserves it,” Marko said.
Verstappen and Hamilton CRASH as FIA take action in Hungary
Max Verstappen was involved in a dramatic collision with Lewis Hamilton for P3 at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman attempted an overtake on his rival into Turn 1, going though the inside but locking up as Hamilton’s front right collided with Verstappen’s rear left.
In dramatic fashion the Red Bull was launched into the air, and was lucky to remain in the race, falling behind the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen has been placed under investigation by the stewards, with the FIA calling a 4.50pm UK time summons, where the sport’s governing body confirmed their findings.
F1 RECAP: Piastri claims STUNNING maiden victory as FIA announce Verstappen penalty verdict
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton crash in Hungary
A nightmare Hungarian GP for Max Verstappen
It was a difficult race for the champion who went wide on the opening lap, and was forced to give the position back to Lando Norris after claiming P2.
The Red Bull star accused the Brit of running him wide, and continued to deliver a series of furious radio messages to his team during the grand prix.
Verstappen’s frustrations came to the fore as he attempted to overtake Hamilton, with the pair lucky to not be embroiled in more devastating contact.
In the end Hamilton claimed P3 and a podium in Hungary, with Verstappen languishing back in fifth.
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“It’s going to be emotional for me” – Chase Briscoe on honoring Tony Stewart’s legacy
Chase Briscoe, in a recent media session, shared his emotions about racing on the oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Briscoe will be driving the No. 14 car, a number famously associated with his current team owner, Tony Stewart.
Stewart won several races and the 2011 championship with this car. He also co-owns NASCAR team Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), which will be shutting down after this season.
NASCAR first raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in 1994, which was the first race there besides the Indianapolis 500 in 1916. Since then, many different racing series have raced at IMS. As the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Brickyard 400 after three years off, Chase Briscoe, who grew up in Mitchell, Indiana, faces an emotional weekend.
“It’s going to be emotional for me, I mean full transparency I cry every year just on the ride around deal so with it being on the oval and doing it in the 14 all that it’s going to be definitely, probably emotional,” said Briscoe.
“It’s really special to be back here at home in Indiana. Every race car driver dreams of racing at Indianapolis, but for me, it’s even more special because I grew up here,” he added.
Chase Briscoe eyes playoff spot and #14 legacy
A win this weekend will help Chase Briscoe secure a spot in the 2024 Cup playoffs. It would also be a fitting end to SHR’s legacy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Briscoe has raced at the Brickyard before, twice in the Xfinity Series and won on the road course layout in 2020.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever get a chance to race on the oval. So being able to do it this year means a lot to me,” Briscoe stated.
The #14 car has a special place in NASCAR history. After Stewart retired in 2016, Clint Bowyer took over and won two races in 2018. Chase Briscoe then drove the #14 in 2021 and earned his first win in 2022. Other notable racers like Fonty Flock, Hershel McGriff, and A.J. Foyt, also drove this famed car.
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