Cameron Norrie again fell short at the Metz Open on Saturday, losing to American star Learner Tien in excruciating circumstances.
Norrie looked set to win his first ATP title since 2023 during the third set tiebreak, as he led 5-1 against his American opponent.
The Brit faltered, losing seven of the next eight points to hand Tien the title in France.
It was a similar story at last year’s Metz Open: Norrie lost in the final to Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi.
However, despite suffering yet another heartbreak in Metz, Norrie has continued to demonstrate why he is one of the classiest players on Tour.
Cameron Norrie says Learner Tien’s Metz Open triumph was ‘well deserved’
On Instagram, Norrie praised Tien’s triumph while thanking his team for their support throughout the 2025 season.
Norrie said: “Merci Metz! Nice to leave everything on the court yesterday. Well deserved Learner Tien.
“Huge thanks to everyone who supported me this year. Lucky to have such a special team out week in week out – Facundo Lagones, Kevin Konfederak, Emeric, James Beres. Compete and enjoy.”
Despite the loss, Norrie should be pleased with the results he has achieved in 2025, particularly in the latter half.
His quarter-final run at Wimbledon was perhaps the highlight. He defeated 12th seed Frances Tiafoe and came through a fiery contest against Nicolas Jarry, before eventually losing to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets.
Norrie avenged his Wimbledon loss to Alcaraz a few months later, stunning the Spaniard in the Paris Masters second round.
Moreover, following his campaign in Metz, Norrie will likely finish the year as the world number 27, almost guaranteeing himself a seeded spot for the 2026 Australian Open.
Where could Norrie play at the start of 2026?
One might expect Cameron Norrie to head to Hong Kong for the start of the 2026 season, as he is defending 50 points at the event.
Funnily enough, Norrie defeated Tien in the opening round of the 2024 Hong Kong Open, which is an ATP 250 event.
He then defeated Lorenzo Sonego before losing to 2014 US Open finalist Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals.
Consequently, if Norrie participates in this year’s event, he will hope to defend the points he earned last year.
