Nicolas Jarry, to most onlookers, will have looked like a very bitter opponent during his Wimbledon loss to Cam Norrie yesterday.
After all, he routinely complained to the umpire, and then sought to expand his criticism onto the Brit immediately after the match was over.
However, in reality, his protestations were made relatively calmly. All he wanted to see was a rule that either validated or renounced his anger. Had he received that, his complaining would likely have ceased far earlier.
The fans on Court One did not know that, though, and so were quick to boo Jarry when he seemed to be arguing with Cam Norrie at the net after the match.
That was not the case, but fortunately, the 29-year-old has not held a grudge.
Why Nicolas Jarry was booed by the Wimbledon crowd
Asked about whether he was disappointed by the reaction after the match, as he sought to prolong his frustration after the handshake with Norrie, Jarry admitted that he had no hard feelings.
After all, he was merely seeking to explain that the only thing that had truly bothered him was the extended bouncing of the balls between first and second serve, yet Court One erupted in boos, likely expecting the worst.
The Chilean claimed, in his press conference: ‘No, no, no, nothing. The crowd was unbelievable here. Um, they were very supportive for both players.
‘I heard a lot of cheering from my side, so I’m very happy for how they reacted.’
Then rating Norrie’s performance, he continued: ’Cameron played unbelievable. No, unbelievable. He played great. He did his job. He plays like that. That’s what I wanted to say.
‘Very, very focused. He didn’t give me any chances. The opportunities that I made for myself, the break points, he played it very well. So it was very tough. I had to play my best and it just wasn’t enough.
‘But I’m very happy for my run. It’s been an amazing two weeks, playing good tennis, so I’m happy for that.’
Jarry ranted at the umpire mid-match, but his protests fell on deaf ears as little changed afterwards.
Can Cam Norrie upset Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon?
Things get no easier for Norrie, who now has to face the two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.
Already this has been a mesmeric campaign from the former British number one, who is just one win away from matching his best-ever run at Wimbledon, achieved in 2022.
However, to grab that, he will have to summon his very best performance, and even then will also be reliant on a very flat Alcaraz.
There have been some regular signs of weakness from the Spaniard throughout this tournament, who has surrendered at least one set every match thus far to opponents far weaker than Norrie.
If Jarry was upset about his gamesmanship during yesterday’s match, to beat Alcaraz, the 29-year-old might have to really push the boundaries in order to achieve any marginal gain he can to unsettle the world number two.
Even then, if Alcaraz is on form, especially like he was in that final set against Andrey Rublev yesterday, it’s a wonder whether anyone can beat him.
