Nick Kyrgios wants to see British No 1 Jack Draper use his Wimbledon defeat to Cam Norrie as a ‘learning experience’.
Court One played host to two all-British matches on Thursday with Katie Boulter losing to Harriet Dart earlier in the day.
Norrie and Draper were out on court after with the latter very much the man in form.
He replaced Norrie as British No 1 last month after winning his maiden ATP Tour title in Stuttgart.
Cam Norrie defeated British No 1 Jack Draper in straight sets
REUTERS
The 22-year-old admitted that put a target on his back going into Wimbledon, but it was a challenge he was relishing.
Norrie has had a difficult 2024 and came into Wimbledon having won just once in his last four competitive matches on grass.
But he looked solid in his opening-round win over Facundo Diaz Acosta while Draper had a difficult time against Elias Ymer.
Form went out the window when the two top British male tennis stars took to the court and there was barely anything to separate them both in the first set.
Norrie did enough to come through a tight tiebreak and that gave the former Wimbledon semi-finalist the momentum going into the second set.
Norrie was showing signs of what saw him reach a career-high ranking of No 8 in the world while Draper was struggling to find his best form.
The British No 1 battled to try and stay in the match in the third, but Norrie did just enough once again to wrap up the match in three sets.
A dejected Draper hobbled off the court to applause from the crowd, but Kyrgios hopes the youngster can use the experience to his advantage.
Jack Draper wasn’t able to find top gear against Cam Norrie
REUTERS
“I was so impressed with Cam Norrie,” Kyrgios said.
“Coming in, there were some question marks on his level and if he’d be outplayed.
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Nick Kyrgios wants Jack Draper to learn from the experience
REUTERS
“But he definitely looked the better player today and what a way to get your confidence back, doing it on the big stage in front of a packed crowd.
“I guess for Draper it’s a learning experience.
“You’re going to be back here so many times and he’s got to learn from it.”