DOG OF WAR CAM FULL OF BARK & BITE

Reputation of champion Alcaraz likely to have little impact on the snarling Norrie

- By Neil McLeman

Do NOT be fooled by Cameron Norrie’s laid-back manner, soft voice and surf-dude looks.

Unleashed on the tennis court, the Brit is a snarling dog of war who is ready to bark and bite his way to victory.

And as Carlos Alcaraz will find out on Centre Court today, the reputation of his opponent on the other side of the net does not matter.

At the 2023 Rome Masters, Novak Djokovic criticised Norrie’s sportsmanship after he had struck the Serbian superstar on the ankle with a smash.

And at the Metz Open last November, the British No.3 infuriated Roberto Carballes Baena with repeated shouts and fist pumps as he fought to end a four-match losing streak. In a post-match confrontation, the Spaniard said: “You say ‘Vamos’ all the time in my face.”