Cameron Norrie is ready to treat Novak Djokovic like just another player despite the Serb being in the form of his life.
Norrie had a feisty encounter when the pair last met in Rome back in May, with the world No1 accusing the Briton of unsporting behaviour.
And Norrie said he was ready for fireworks again in their Davis Cup quarter-final tie on Thursday, despite Djokovic being fresh from making Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner look like also-rans at last week’s ATP Finals.
Speaking on the eve of the event in Malaga, Norrie said: “It’s a huge challenge. But I think at the end of the day he’s just another player and I’m going to run for everything and give it everything.
“I’m going to be myself, give it everything and take it to him. I have played him in a few big matches already.”
The pair have met three times before, with Djokovic winning all of those previous encounters including the most recent in the Italian capital earlier in the year.
Britain are expected to have thousands of supporters in the stands, with a combination of ex-pats living in Spain and those travelling over from the UK.
But the team are missing the services of both Dan Evans and Andy Murray because of injury so their singles ambitions are spearheaded by Norrie and Jack Draper, with Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski paired together in the doubles.
Ahead of facing Djokovic, Norrie said he was expecting to “run a lot more than usual”.
Despite his opponent being the overwhelming favourite to win, Norrie said: “Davis Cup there is a lot of hype, a lot of fans. It’s a different kind of pressure.
"I think it’s going to work in our favour and we love it. We’re all ready to compete.”
