Cam Norrie reflects on hitting fan with racquet as he makes disqualification admission

has admitted he got a “good wake up call” after accidentally hitting a fan with his racquet in his last match before the .

The British No.2 avoided disqualification when he tossed his racquet and struck a fan in a court-side box at the ASB Classic in Auckland. She was unhurt and Norrie lost the next point and the first round match.

But Norrie, who was brought up in Auckland by British parents, said: “It is a good wake up call and I apologised straight away.

“It was good learning. I got to Auckland and I had zero time to prepare and I wanted to play well there. I was not feeling the ball, not feeling good at all.

“And more I was just disappointed with my level and my attitude at a tournament that I grew up watching as a kid. And it is not why I play tennis to act like that. I have never done that. It is not me.

“If I were a kid watching me, it would not be the best. Obviously if my past self had been watching me, it is not the way I want to be playing at the tournament I grew up watching.”

was thrown out of the 2020 US Open after accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball.

“I didn’t think at all I would get DQ’d,” Norrie added. “It could have been a bit different but she was laughing and enjoying the champagne with friends so she obviously didn’t take it too seriously.”

Norrie, who has dropped down to world No.48 after suffering a forearm injury last year, faces former finalist Matteo Berrettini in the first round on Tuesday.

“It is a great match to play and test myself,” said the former world No.8. I am really going to have to up my level to have a chance with him.”

Meanwhile, it was a very frustrating opening day for players and organisers themselves as the began in Melbourne, with raun causing chaos. Play was suspended on the outer courts about an hour after it had just begun on day one.