Grand Slam breakthrough in Raonic’s sights
Canadian’s rapid ascent leading to ATP showcase sets table for monster 2015
Next year.
No, not as in maybe next year, the annual lament of all teams at all levels after seasons that don’t produce championships, or even in some cases a playoff spot.
In this case, what we mean by next year is that 2015 is the time to really start expecting something earth-shattering from Milos Raonic.
There’s a difference, see. One is about just dumb hope, or the belief that a fluke will come one’s way. The other is about hope as well, but combined with a sense that all the correct pieces are in place for truly noteworthy achievements.
That’s where Raonic is. Poised to really take off.
Of course, 2014 has already been a groundbreaking season for the Montenegro-born Canadian — he terms it “relatively successful” — one that has clearly defined him as the best Canadian to ever pick up a racquet, the best North American player right now, a top-10 player in ATP world rankings and a significant attraction on tour around the world, from Flushing Meadows to Shanghai.
We’ll see how he fares next week in London against the best of the best minus Rafael Nadal.
The ATP World Tour Finals is still an event in its formative stages, not quite the fifth major the tour would like it to be, but as a competition it’s an intriguing one.
The eight-man round-robin competition begins at the O2 Arena with Raonic in a grouping with Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Kei Nishikori, with Raonic taking on Federer first in a rematch of their Paris encounter eight days ago.
In other words, no easy warmup matches. Right into the fire.
“I have to get a better understanding of what I need to do in specific situations, have a clearer vision of things, what I have to execute” MILOS RAONIC AT ATP WORLD TOUR FINALS, STARTING SUNDAY
Two players from each of the two groups survive to move on to the semifinals, and getting there would be a major accomplishment for the Canadian, who is the youngest player in the competition. But let’s talk about 2015, shall we? Raonic, currently No. 8 in the world, turns 24 next month. This is the beginning of his prime tennis years.
No longer can we talk about inexperience, about the intimidation factor of playing against big names, about learning the tour and managing the demands of men’s pro tennis, about keeping expectations reasonable within the context of a golden era of men’s tennis.
It’s now, really, just about results. Just win, baby.
The days when some could dismiss Raonic as just a big guy with a monster serve are over. Anyone who says that now either is just doing it to be a Twitter loudmouth or isn’t watching the games.
He has weaknesses, sure. But guess what? Everyone on tour, save perhaps the dazzling Novak Djokovic, has weaknesses.
It’s about protecting yours and exploiting those of your opponent. And Raonic has learned to do both, particularly since he came under the watchful gaze of co-coaches Ivan Ljubicic and Riccardo Piatti.
This isn’t to say there is no longer improvement required. Stan Wawrinka won the Australian Open last January, his first Grand Slam tri- umph, at the age of 29 with a better, more dangerous game than he had when he was 24. Wawrinka always had the strokes, including a marvellous backhand, but it was only in Melbourne he was able to put together the right combination of health, personal performance and draw to win one of the four big ones.
That’s what Raonic, after a year in which he has made wearing a compression sleeve on one arm a fashion trend, will need to capture his first Grand Slam title in 2015.
Health, of course, is No. 1 on the list, and while Raonic has had plenty of injuries and illnesses, he’s demonstrated he’s smart enough to take the time off when necessary to get his body well. He deals with these interruptions logically.
Unless you’re one of Federer, Djokovic or Nadal, meanwhile, you’ve also got to get hot at the right time, like Marin Cilic did at the U.S. Open in September. Cilic may never win another, but he had everything working beautifully in New York to win his first major. Raonic is every bit the player Cilic is. If the Croat can do it, so can this Canadian. Djokovic is still only 27, so to win a major it will be most helpful if somebody else knocks off the Serb and clears the path, particularly if he’s on the other side of the draw. That said, Djokovic won only one Grand Slam this season — he lost to Wawrinka in Melbourne, Nadal at Roland Garros, Nishikori in New York — suggesting that as dominant as he is from week-to-week, there’s more room for others to step forward in the biggest tournaments. Raonic, back this week in the city where he made his first Grand Slam semifinal appearance in July, needs to continue working on his service return, in particular, and force himself to continue to come forward and become more forceful at the net. “I have to get a better understanding of what I need to do in specific situations, have a clearer vision of things, what I have to execute,” he said this week in London. “I need to stay more consistent in those tough situations.” That said, he has enough tools to win a major and he has accumulated the necessary experience. Paid his dues, as it were. Next year is the year to truly believe he can become a Grand Slam champion. Damien Cox is a broadcaster with Rogers Sportsnet and a regular contributor to Hockey Night in Canada. He spent nearly 30 years covering a variety of sports for the Star, and his column will appear here Saturdays. Follow him @DamoSpin.