Facing Rafael Nadal is one of the toughest tasks in tennis.

It's also been a big benefit for Cameron Norrie.

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The 12th-ranked Norrie tuned up for his BNP Paribas Open title defense reaching the Acapulco final last month where he lost to Nadal 6-4, 6-4.

Meeting the media in Indian Wells, Norrie said there's an added bonus of facing Nadal: he elevates your level of play and makes the following opponent feel more manageable.

"Every time I play with Rafa I feel like the next match I play I’m always playing at a high level with his tempo and his rally ball is getting up pretty high on you," Norrie said. "So then I’m hitting with the next person I’m playng and it seems pretty comfortable. Hopefully I can use that and take it into next week."



Australian Open champion Nadal has not dropped a set in four career meetings with Norrie.

Nadal carries a 15-0 record into Indian Wells this week and the left-handed Briton said one reason why this 2022 version of the Grand Slam king is so dangerous is the Spaniard is serving with even more command. 

"He’s stronger than ever and still on that undefeated run for the year so I think he’s playing some of his best tennis that he’s got," Norrie said. "For me what really impressed me was his serve. He served at a very high percentage and he was hitting all his spots and playing very physical long rallies.

"The conditons in Acapulco were very bouncy and quite slow. I think it suited myself and him more, but he held his concentration better than me in certain moments. That showed and that was the reason why he beat me but it was a very close match."

Photo credit: Guillermo Sanchez