Do you remember Milos Raonic? He was the best tennis player in Canada for a long time, before Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov.
After two years of absence, the 32-year-old Ontarian will attempt a return to the game on the grass of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, in the Netherlands.
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Raonic’s last game dates back to July 2021, when he lost in three sets to American Brandon Nakashima in Atlanta. Previously, he had reached the round of 16 in Miami, four months earlier.
Various injuries, including to a calf and Achilles tendon, and the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to take a very long break. In the past, the mighty server was also often bothered by back pain.
The former world number 3 never wanted to announce his retirement, limiting his appearances in public, and here he is registered for the ATP 250 tournament in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, which will take place from June 10 to 18. He will benefit from a protected classification, that is to say the 33rd rank, because of his inactivity.
Wimbledon goal?
It’s no surprise to see Raonic making a comeback at the start of the grass-court season, having always enjoyed playing at Wimbledon. He had also surprised the great Roger Federer in five sets during a semi-final on the lawn of the All England Club to become the first Canadian to reach the ultimate match of a Grand Slam, in 2016. Raonic then lost ahead of crowd favorite Andy Murray.
If the 6ft and 5ft tall athlete wants to pursue his career, it is certainly not for a question of money, since he has already pocketed more than US$20 million in scholarships. He signed 372 victories against 175 defeats on the ATP circuit, getting his hands on eight titles and paving the way for Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime.
Moreover, Félix will also be at the ‘s-Hertogenbosch tournament, as will the formidable Russian Daniil Medvedev and Nakashima, Raonic’s last opponent two years ago.