Cameron Norrie says he plans to use the power of the home crowd to propel him to Wimbledon success — as seven Brits including Jodie Burrage and Katie Boulter play on Wednesday.
The British number one, 27, made it safely into the second round on Tuesday night after defeating Czech player Tomas Machac under the roof on Court One.
Play on the outside courts on Tuesday was virtually wiped out due to persistent rain.
On Wednesday seven other Brits are attempting to take advantage of the better weather, with Burrage, 24, facing Russian Daria Kasatkina on Centre Court.
Boulter, 27, is continuing her match against Australian Daria Saville after play was rained off on Tuesday with the Brit 6-5 down in the first set. Arthur Fery, Heather Watson, George Loffhagen, Sonay Kartal and Jan Choinski are also in action.
Asked what it was like playing in front of a home crowd, Norrie told the Standard: “Any tennis player, they love that atmosphere. You have to embrace the loudness of it. There are different moments in a match and the momentum of the match is changing.
“The crowd plays a huge part in that... they can change the mood of the match. You have to use that to your advantage.”
Norrie, based in Putney, added: “It was a lot of fun coming out to that court, so special, a lot of good memories there.”
He said it took him a “few years” to not feel overwhelmed by playing at Wimbledon — and he admitted he used to worry about damaging the grass courts.
Speaking at an event by Babolat at Wigmore Sports in London, he added: “It is a really cool tournament and so special playing there. I was mesmerised by the grass and how good it is. You don’t want to ruin it!”
Norrie, seeded 12th, was watched on court by his parents David and Helen. His girlfriend Louise Jacobi was also courtside. He said his parents prefer to watch him live as seeing him on TV is too nerve-wracking.
Sir Andy Murray was also one of the few to make it through to the second round on the wet second day, beating fellow Brit Ryan Peniston in straight sets.
The Princess of Wales, Roger Federer and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe — detained in Iran for six years — all watched him on Centre Court.
