Top seed in Los Cabos, Cameron Norrie opts out of Olympics in favor of hard-court momentum

WATCH: Norrie won his opening round over Elias Ymer in straight sets on Wednesday.

Britain's Cameron Norrie is playing the Mifel Open, an ATP 250 tournament in Los Cabos this week instead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics—looking to gain points and momentum going into the US Open.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a revelatory season, reaching three finals and a career-high No. 30, putting him in position for seeding at the US Open.

"It's very nice to represent your country, obviously, but with the schedule problems the opportunity to get points, due to quarantine, were limited," he told Milenio at Los Cabos. "I think this was better, get ready for the US Open, prioritize that. It was a difficult decision but I enjoy coming to Mexico and playing here, by these beaches."

There are no ATP ranking points for players at Tokyo, where players must arrive on a designated day and compete with strict protocols.

I think this was better, get ready for the US Open, prioritize that. It was a difficult decision but I enjoy coming to Mexico and playing here, by these beaches. Cameron Norrie

He's instead concentrating on producing the same level of play that has given him a 32-14 record this season, including finals on clay and grass, as he returns to his preferred surface.

"Keep learning and improving, taking it week by week," he said. "That's been very good for me this year, not being so satisfied. I'm looking forward to playing on my favorite surface, hard courts, embracing the challenge and playing against top players. A big goal is the US Open, playing my best there."

Norrie endured a third-round defeat to Roger Federer at Wimbledon.

"Playing against Federer on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, incredible," he said, describing it as one of two his favorite career experiences alongside his first Davis Cup appearance. "I was disappointed, [but] enjoyed every minute."

Norrie is playing his first tour event as the top seed.