Cameron Norrie will play the Australian Open as a seeded player thanks to his ATP Tour ranking of World No. 26.
Norrie ended 2025 on a high by reaching the Metz Open Final and defeating Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Masters.
The British star achieved a career-best fourth round at Roland Garros, as well as the quarter-finals of Wimbledon for the second time in his career.
Norrie heads into the Australian Open as the highest-ranked British male, after Jack Draper’s withdrawal, and he’s revealed how he feels ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year.
Cameron Norrie says he’s in a ‘good place’ ahead of the Australian Open
Norrie competed at the ASB Classic in Auckland to kickstart his 2026 campaign, which included a victory over Hugo Gaston and a loss to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
After competing at the ATP 250 event, Norrie has shared an update on his physical fitness ahead of the Australian Open.
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Speaking at his Australian Open press conference, he said: “I feel really, really good. I finished the year strong playing really well. I had a nice break, and we had a good preseason as well.
“I’ve played already three three-setters already against good players and tested my level. So I feel really good. I feel like I got enough matches. I’m a guy typically who needs matches to really feel at my best.
“I did that. It would have been nice to go deeper in Auckland, but Giovanni did well in that match to get out of trouble and do that, but definitely a lot of good sets, a lot of close sets, and a lot of different kind of game styles.”
The star said he was fitter and stronger than his last appearance at the Australian Open, where he lost in his opening round match to Matteo Berrettini.
“I feel prepared for this one and fit, healthy. I’m touching the ball really well. Mentally I’m in a good place, ready to compete again here. Feeling a lot better than I did last year.
“Obviously I was a little bit sick going into the tournament. Can’t really compare at all. I’ll take that, but it’s always a bit of nerves going into the first slam of the year.
“You know, high expectations. Everyone is kind of reset, so I just want to go and play and enjoy my tennis like I did at the back end of the year.”
Norrie’s best performance at the Australian Open came in 2024, when he reached the fourth round by notching up wins against Juan Pablo Varillas, Giulio Zeppieri, and Casper Ruud.
The British star was eventually beaten by Alexander Zverev, who squeezed through in a five-set match that went to a tie-break decider.
Cameron Norrie’s kind draw at the 2026 Australian Open
Norrie will begin his Australian Open with a first round match against Benjamin Bonzi, a player who is currently ranked outside the top 100.
The British star’s section features three other seeds, but he has thankfully missed out on both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Zverev, Andrey Rublev, and Francisco Cerundolo could be potential opponents for Norrie before the latter stages.
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Norrie is yet to beat Zverev in six attempts, but he has notched up three victories against Rublev and one win against Cerundolo.
However, he will not have to play a single seed until the third round at the earliest.
The British star will play the winner of Emilio Nava and Kyrian Jacquet if he finds a way past Bonzi in the first round.
With just first round ranking points to defend at the Australian Open, Norrie could be in for a major boost in Melbourne.
