Norrie had five set points and also rescued five match points in a third set tie-break before losing out to the French Open runner-up 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(15) in two and a half hours.

It was an impressive performance from both players, but Zverev’s impenetrable serve proved the difference between the two.

“It was a really high level from both of us,” Norrie said. “He gave me absolutely nothing. Honestly, I thought I played really well, but I couldn't really get into his service games.

“It was a tough match. Would have loved to have seen how the match would have gone if I'd won that tie-break obviously, but I’m happy with the level.

“When he's serving like that, nothing you can do. I battled through a tough hold. Switch ends. I'm back serving again within the next minute. I had to stay positive, really not try to let that bring my energy down.

“I tried my best not to let it frustrate me. I think I did a really good job with that. Managed to hold my serve as much as I did, get to a tie-break, and played probably my best level in the tiebreak. Still didn't get the job done.

“I loved it out there. Enjoyed it. So fun to get to play on Centre Court again against a top player, test myself.”

Despite the result, Norrie was very positive about his performances this week, which included arguably his best of the season in a win over compatriot Jack Draper earlier in the week.

The Brit came into the tournament after a series of losses and is hoping that this week can help him return to the form that has seen him win five ATP titles.

“Definitely I'll take it, the grass season ending like this,” he said. “I felt like I played my best tennis towards the end. The match with Jack was a high, high level. High, high level today. Yeah, it's exactly what I needed.

“I'm really pumped for the rest of the season. I'm working so hard. I'm practicing really, really well. Improving all my skills. Hopefully I can put it all together.

“I think there's so much to look forward to the rest of the year, the Olympics, the States, the US Open. I'm excited. Still lots of tennis to be played.

“For me, lots to improve on. I really feel good kind of, obviously not the result I wanted today, but the level I played, the level of concentration, the way I was hitting the ball, moving. I'm in really good shape. Body feels good.

“It was a really positive Wimbledon for me. I obviously would have liked to have gone further, but I take a lot of positives for it.”

Although he admitted to not seeing many of the sporting stars in the Royal Box on Centre Court, there was one particular person that Norrie got to meet after his third round match against the two-time Grand Slam finalist.

“I met Pep Guardiola,” Norrie said. “He said congrats on my match. I said, Congrats to you, you won everything (smiling).

“I didn't actually get to see who was there today. That's cool that they do that on this day. Hopefully they enjoyed that tie-break.”