Britain’s top seed Cameron Norrie fell 7-6(8-6) 6-2 to world No.22 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in his first singles outing at Queen’s since a rib injury forced his French Open retirement. Norrie opened the match with an early break, but the Spaniard rallied, claimed the tie‑break and dominated the second set.

The loss follows a disappointing doubles debut, where Norrie partnered Australian Alex de Minaur to a 6-4 7-5 defeat by India’s Yuki Bhambri and New Zealand’s Michael Venus. Despite diving and sliding for volleys, Norrie was broken twice in the second set, highlighting lingering rust after months off the tour.

Norrie remains one of five Britons with direct entry into Wimbledon and will enter the tournament seeded. His early exit at Queen’s raises questions about fitness ahead of the All‑England Club, where a full‑court comeback could hinge on his recovery progress and confidence after the recent defeats.

With Wimbledon opening on Monday, Norrie’s performance at Queen’s will likely influence his seeding position and the draw’s balance. A strong showing could restore his reputation as Britain’s go‑to Grand Slam contender, while continued struggles may open the field for lower‑ranked domestic players seeking a breakthrough.