Milos Raonic

[Lucas]

Raonic Featured In Vogue

Spoiler:

Canadian profiled by best-selling author David Ebershoff
Milos Raonic is swiping through his phone. We’re in a booth at a Miami steak house, picking at shrimp-and-quinoa salads, talking about athletes and writing, when he finds Kobe Bryant’s retirement poem, a love letter to basketball. “You’re a writer,” he says to me. “I want to hear your literary take.” This is typical. Not so much the poetry part as the seeking-out opinions.
Last year, while recovering from back spasms, the 25-year-old Canadian asked himself, “What is the stuff I like to do the least and can it help me?” One answer? Writing. Now every night Raonic, currently ranked seventh, jots down “ideas, emotions” in a leather notebook. He’s been reading books like The Art of Learning, by the chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin.
Tennis is a game of slim margins, especially at the top. Every player is looking for that something to close the gap. Commentator Justin Gimelstob believes one of Raonic’s strengths is “he isn’t afraid to be great.”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/rao ... d-in-vogue

http://www.vogue.com/13459636/athlete-m ... r-profile/

[Damian]

Raonic To Build On Breakthrough Run

Spoiler:

Top-ranked Canadian not letting growing hype distract him
Much has changed for Milos Raonic since he last arrived home to contest the Rogers Cup. Two former World No. 1s being added to the coaching fray and a maiden Grand Slam final appearance only a matter of weeks ago are bringing a new wave of hype to Canada’s great hope.
Contesting his first event since his run to the Wimbledon decider, including the defeat of seven-time former champion Roger Federer en route, Raonic has been careful not to get carried away with the surge in publicity. He arrives in Toronto with his day job first and foremost on his mind. It is a mindset Carlos Moya and John McEnroe have emphasised since joining Riccardo Piatti in the coaching ranks this season.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Rejuvenated Djokovic Primed For Toronto
“For sure there’s been a lot of positive attention after the past few weeks so it’s definitely been fun coming home but at the same time it’s easy to remember I’m here for the tennis so I’ve stayed away from it all and tried to put all my attention to preparing,” the 25 year old said. “At the end of the day, I’m not here for anything other than tennis.”
Seeded fourth this week, Raonic enters with a 37-9 match record on the season (17-3 on hard) in what will be his seventh Rogers Cup main draw appearance. He was runner-up in 2013 (l. to Nadal) and reached the quarter-finals in 2012 (l. to Isner) and 2014 (l. to Lopez). Last year, he lost in his opening match after a first-round bye to Karlovic in two tie-break sets.
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Beyond his runner-up showing at Wimbledon, it has been an impressive season for the Canadian. He opened the year with an eighth ATP World Tour title in Brisbane (d. Federer) and followed it up with a semi-final finish at the Australian Open (l. to Murray in five sets). He was also runner-up at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells (l. to Djokovic) and Queen’s Club (l. to Murray). It is the defeats, not the victories, which Raonic is learning from most.
“Those losses stick with me a lot more than the wins," he said. "You go back and re-watch and you re-evalute and so forth. I don’t have any intention of watching that [Wimbledon] semi-final match but I have, and will again, watch that final match (l. to Murray) to learn.
“I did a lot of things well but there’s certain things I need to do to improve. I think mentally I could have been better in that situation and that’s what I’m going to strive to do throughout this tournament, to keep getting better.”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/rao ... 016-sunday

[Damian]

[Lucas]

Raonic Eager For More McEnroe Input

Spoiler:

After getting to the Wimbledon final with former ATP World No. 1 John McEnroe on his team, Milos Raonic has reunited once again with the tennis legend.
Raonic and McEnroe spent 10 days together on the practice court in New York before the Canadian arrived at the Western & Southern Open. Although McEnroe’s fiery nature is a contrast to the generally laid-back Raonic, as well as his more full-time coaches Riccardo Piatti and Carlos Moya, the Canadian wants to hear more from the 77-time tour-level titlist.
“He’s very intense and passionate, so there’s a clear and underlying message that you’re always taking away. He has clear communication with Riccardo, Carlos and myself, making sure we all have the same objectives and we’re on the same page,” said Raonic. “It’s been positive. He has a good idea of what I need to do to make that next step forward.”
McEnroe has been making small, yet profound changes to Raonic’s game and attitude. Those were on full display at Wimbledon, with Raonic making more of an effort to rush the net and showing more emotion than he typically does.
“Sometimes I can be a stone-faced guy and I need to face that with a little more intensity,” Raonic admitted. “It was a big point of emphasis when John came along. He told me not to just let things go by and that I have to impose myself.”
Raonic and McEnroe will also work together the week before the US Open and McEnroe plans to assist the Canadian in between his commentating duties during the tournament. The US Open remains the lone Grand Slam that Raonic hasn’t reached the quarter-finals of, but he’s confident in changing that this year.
“It’ll be similar to the setup we had during Wimbledon where he can come on off days and maybe before matches, as well as during my matches if he has time,” said Raonic. “But I’ve made a bigger improvement mentally over a short period of time. We’ve been doing some good work and I think I’m making some good steps forward.”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/cin ... enroe-2016

[Lucas]

Raonic Puts On Serving Clinic In Cincy

Spoiler:

Fourth seed Milos Raonic continued his run of form on Friday at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, not facing a break point in an impressive quarter-final win over eighth seed Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4.
Raonic needed just a single break of serve in each set, breaking Thiem at 3-2 in the opening set and 3-3 in the second set. He remained flawless on his own serve, dropping just eight service points throughout the match.

The Canadian is making his sixth consecutive appearance in Cincinnati and has matched his previous career-best result here from 2014. Raonic is looking for his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title. He has reached three finals at this level, most recently in March at the BNP Paribas Open (l. Djokovic).
Next up for Raonic is the winner of the match between top seed Andy Murray and Bernard Tomic. Raonic leads his FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry with Tomic 4-0, including three wins this year. Murray leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head 7-3 and has won their past six matches. Four of those victories have come in 2016, including their most recent battle in the Wimbledon final.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/rao ... nnati-2016

[Damian]

McEnroe won't work with Raonic during US Open

Spoiler:

NEW YORK — John McEnroe says he won't work with Canada's Milos Raonic during the U.S. Open "for Milos' sake, for ESPN and my sake."
McEnroe was brought on as a coaching consultant to the Canadian before Wimbledon, where he also serves as a TV commentator. He did not call any of Raonic's matches for ESPN until the final, when he was asked to provide insight into his player instead of the typical analysis.
ESPN executive Jamie Reynolds had said before the U.S. Open that he was still comfortable with that arrangement as long as the network was transparent about the relationships. But McEnroe said on a conference call Friday that "it's best that we stop right now doing what we're doing."
"It will just make life easier for everyone," he added, noting that "I like to think I have a good relationship with the other players."
The seven-time major champ is leaving open the possibility he could work with Raonic or another top player during the off-season, but just not during a major.
McEnroe spent some time this week with Raonic, who he calls "a great kid."
The 25-year-old Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., reached his first major final at Wimbledon. He's seeded fifth at the U.S. Open, which starts Monday.
Raonic already had two main coaches in 1998 French Open champion Carlos Moya and Ricardo Piatti.

http://www.tsn.ca/mcenroe-won-t-work-wi ... n-1.556424

[Lucas]

[Lucas]

Raonic: 'I Was My Own Worst Enemy Today'

Spoiler:

Ailing Raonic slumps to earliest major defeat this season
Some days, the mind and body just aren’t in sync. For Milos Raonic, Wednesday was one of those days at Flushing Meadows.
The fifth-seeded Canadian conceded stress and cramps were a significant factor in falling 6-7(4), 7-5, 7-5, 6-1 to American Ryan Harrison in the US Open second round. It is the first time Harrison has progressed as far at a major, while it marks the first time this season Raonic has failed to reach the fourth round at a major.
“I was my own worst enemy today,” Raonic said. “I tried the best I could to find my way out of it. My body didn't let me. It was numerous things: the left arm; right forearm there towards the end of the third; both quads; a little bit hip flexor on the left."

The Canadian finished with 18 aces but threw in an uncharacteristic 15 double faults. He won just 67 per cent of first-serve points to Harrison’s 74 per cent and was brought undone by 62 errors, almost double his opponent’s.
“I think I hesitated at the beginning. I forced a little bit. I wasn't moving that well. Then later on, a bunch of those were sort of out of my hand,” Raonic said of the error count. “There were points there that I could barely hold the racquet. I was just sort of trying to get through, either hope it subsides after a certain amount of time or gets better. It just didn't happen.
“I can't remember a single time where I've lost a match because of cramping.”
In a breakout year for the Canadian, expectations were high after reaching his maiden Grand Slam final at Wimbledon. Still, he was adamant he had not piled too much of that pressure on himself.
“I think I put it on myself the same way in London,” he said. “I think I put it on myself the same way the beginning of the year in Australia. I believe a lot in myself. I try to get the most out of every single time, out of all the important tournaments.
“Now I have a bunch of tournaments left to play with specific goals in mind of what I would like to do for the rest of the year. I'm going to try to get every inch out of maximising that as well.”
Despite the loss, Raonic remains in strong contention to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Coming into the US Open he was third in the Emirates ATP Race To London with 4,375 points, 1,845 points clear of ninth-placed Tomas Berdych. The Top 8 finishers in the Race qualify for the season finale, to be held 13-20 November at The O2.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/rao ... -wednesday

[Lucas]

Milos Raonic Interview (USO 16` 2-nd round loss)

Spoiler:

Q. I guess it's safe to say injuries are the reason why you lost.
MILOS RAONIC: No. Cramping.
Q. When did it first start?
MILOS RAONIC: Halfway through the second set.
Q. Any particular reason? Nerves?
MILOS RAONIC: A little bit of stress. I don't think hydration was an issue. I think I always take that precaution. Probably just nerves and stress, a mental sort of overexuberance rather than -- probably more than it should.
Q. Coming in as a Wimbledon finalist, expectations of your own, other people, how did that factor in?
MILOS RAONIC: I don't think that really factored in other than the fact it's sort of happened to me before. I didn't serve well to start this tournament. That's normally my go-to. That can keep me out of situations.
I think that sort of added a little bit more than I normally have to deal with.
I think that just sort of caught up to me throughout that match.
Q. Was it just your left thigh or was it other things?
MILOS RAONIC: Numerous things, yes.
Q. Was it the wrist also?
MILOS RAONIC: Yeah, the left arm; right forearm there towards the end of the third; both quads; a little bit hip flexor on the left.
It was just catching me all over.
Q. Did you max out on what you could try to do?
MILOS RAONIC: Sort of the really painful cramps started to pass at some point in the third set, but then I started getting small ones where I couldn't hold the racquet.
I couldn't switch grips from one point to the next. There were a few points where I would hold the racquet with my left and trying to stretch out my right hand in between shots, and that's not going to work.
Q. John McEnroe announced he wasn't going to be with you during this tournament. Did that have anything mentally to do with it?
MILOS RAONIC: No, I don't think so. I think today I put a little bit too much on me. I think I was able to put that aside pretty efficiently.
Q. I know the match ended roughly an hour ago or so. Could you go out and play now?
MILOS RAONIC: No. I still can't carry my bags on my shoulder. Even after the match I stayed there for maybe 30 minutes. I started -- just from carrying the bag started cramping a little bit on my back.
Q. (Question regarding history of cramping.)
MILOS RAONIC: I can't remember a single time where I've lost a match because of cramping.
Q. You came up with him more or less. A lot was made of him as maybe the next big thing in American tennis. You punched through almost with no fanfare whatsoever. He's really struggled. Have you followed his career? Do you have a history with him?
MILOS RAONIC: Yeah, I followed it from afar. The year I broke through in 2011 he did pretty well. In 2012 he got up to top 40 for a brief period of time. Since then he hasn't really been around the big tournaments; he struggled.
But this summer I got to see him. He played well in Toronto. He played well in Washington. He's been having sort of a resurgence of a summer. Hopefully he can make it count further on through this tournament. I don't know who he plays next, but it's up to him to make it count.
Q. Do you feel for a guy like that when you see how much your stock can rise and a guy like that struggles so much?
MILOS RAONIC: Do I feel for a guy? I think what you put in you get out. I can't say there's any kind of sort of bad feeling for it. It just didn't seem to work out for him on a constant basis.
I have my own way I go about things to try to get the most out of myself. I think I put in every single hour of each day the best I can to get the most out of myself.
Q. You said it was just cramping. You're used to high expectations; cope pretty well with pressure. Any reason why today it came back to you like this?
MILOS RAONIC: I think I didn't start off well in the match. I started off feeling a little bit heavy, which has happened to me before. You sort of get through the first set. You pull that one out and you sort of start to relax a little bit. I didn't do that today. I just sort of compounded the stress. I kept trying to force the shots. I was hesitating mentally on the shots. I just felt a little bit a step slow.
The sort of expectation of pressure on myself to get out of that situation like I normally would in a situation like that, like happened to me in the beginning of Wimbledon, I didn't do that.
Then all that kind of forceful play caught up to me there in the end.
Q. In hindsight, if you could go back 12 hours, what would you do differently?
MILOS RAONIC: I don't know actually, to be honest with you. Maybe try to be a bit more active at the beginning of the match.
But every single thing I do, I do with a very careful sort of, as much of possible, calculation. I count how many glasses of water I drink. I pay specific attention to what I eat, what I consume, what's going to be the best for me. How much before I consume it. All these kind of things. I try to be on top of it as much as I can.
Q. You wrote about John McEnroe's conversation in the locker room, you wrote in the Tribune. Do you think that could have helped?
MILOS RAONIC: Well, I don't believe so. I was my own worst enemy today. I tried the best I could to find my way out of it. My body didn't let me.
Q. When you went off the court at the end of the set, was there anything there you did? Hydrating?
MILOS RAONIC: No, I was hydrating well before. I just tried to sort of take deeper breaths, take more oxygen in, if that was the lack of the issue. Maybe I was having short breaths because of the stress I was putting on myself.
I just tried to incorporate all those little things I know how to do in that kind of scenario.
Q. Aside from your struggles, how do you feel he played?
MILOS RAONIC: He's been playing well. He played well. He did a lot of things well. I think he stepped up and he played a solid match. There was a few breakpoints. I can't remember if it was in the second or third. Hit three aces down the T; won three out of four of them.
At the beginning of the second, a breakpoint. I hit a good forehand cross. He went for it down the line and made it. A reaction volley, made it as well. He stepped up and got through those important moments.
I didn't create this pressure for myself or this kind of stress on myself. He did that.
Q. Seems like your focus for this summer was to try to win this tournament, even at the expense of the Olympics. You're capable of winning it. Do you think maybe you put too much on yourself to try to do that? That's a different level of pressure for you.
MILOS RAONIC: No, because I think I put it on myself the same way in London. I think I put it on myself the same way the beginning of the year in Australia. I believe a lot in myself. I try to get the most out of every single time, out of all the important tournaments.
Now I have a bunch of tournaments left to play with specific goals in mind of what I would like to do for the rest of the year. I'm going to try to get every inch out of maximizing that as well.
Q. In Australia you hadn't made a slam final yet.
MILOS RAONIC: Yeah. Maybe that sort of adds to the aspect of it.
But, I mean, I don't think of a significant kind of magnitude. I think it adds 1%, but I don't think that 1% is the reason for today's mental stresses.
Q. You had a lot of unforced errors today. Was that mental or physical?
MILOS RAONIC: Well, depends at which point and which unforced errors.
I think I hesitated at the beginning. I forced a little bit. I wasn't moving that well. Then later on, a bunch of those were sort of out of my hand. There were points there that I could barely hold the racquet.
I was just sort of trying to get through, either hope it subsides after a certain amount of time or gets better. It just didn't happen.
Q. Will Davis Cup be next for you?
MILOS RAONIC: Yes.

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interv ... ml?chip=16

[Damian]

Raonic Qualifies For The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals

Spoiler:

Canadian to make second appearance at The O2
Milos Raonic will make his second appearance at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals after becoming the fourth player to qualify for the prestigious season-ending tournament, to be held from 13-20 November at The O2 in London.
The Canadian’s spot in London was confirmed following Saturday’s results in Beijing and Tokyo and the release of the Shanghai Rolex Masters draw.
In 2014, Raonic became the first Canadian and the first player born in the 1990s to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals singles competition.
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“I have had my best ever season so far this year and it is a great reward to be one of the first few players to qualify for London," said Raonic. "I love playing indoors and I look forward to finishing 2016 hopefully on a high note.”
The 25 year old started his season winning his eighth ATP World Tour title at the Brisbane International, avenging defeat to Roger Federer from the year before. It paved the way for a maiden run to the Australian Open semi-finals, where he defeated former champion Stan Wawrinka en route, before falling to Andy Murray. Three times he finished runner-up in 2016 – at the BNP Paribas Open (l. to Djokovic) and at the Aegon Championships (l. to Murray) before again falling to Murray in his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon.
View Emirates ATP Race To London
The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals has welcomed more than 1.8 million fans to The O2 arena over the past seven years, establishing itself as the biggest indoor tennis tournament in the world since moving to London in 2009. A record 102 million broadcast viewers also tuned in across the eight days of competition in 2015. The ATP announced last year that the event would remain at The O2 through to 2018. Tickets can be purchased at: http://www.BarclaysATPWorldTourFinals.com

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/rao ... inals-2016

[Lucas]

Karlovic, Raonic Among Tour's Most 'Efficient' Servers

Spoiler:

Tennis has always calculated first serves in and first-serve points won separately, but what would happen if we blended those two metrics together?
This would essentially create a “first-serve efficiency” rating, specifically focused on discovering how many first serves you get in multiplied by the percentage won. The blended metric looks like this: First-serve efficiency = first serves in percentage x first-serve points won percentage.

Some players don’t manage to get as many first serves in, but when they do, they win the point a lot. Conversely, other players make a lot of first serves, trading off power for consistency as they try to find the right balance for their game style and physical attributes.
An Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers analysis of the Top 20 players in the Emirates ATP Rankings uncovers a substantial 13 percentage point range in “first-serve efficiency”.

For example, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has made 65 per cent of his first serves so far in 2016, and has won 74 per cent of those points. His first-serve efficiency rating is 65 per cent (made) multiplied by 0.74 per cent (won), which equals 48.1 per cent. That slots him into eighth out of the Top 20 so far in 2016.
The extremes in first-serve efficiency were striking. Lucas Pouille had a +20 percentage point gap between first serves made and first-serve points won (55 per cent to 75 per cent), while Rafael Nadal had a -2 percentage point gap (71 per cent made to 69 per cent won). Nadal is the only player in the Top 20 who had a higher percentage of first serves made than first-serve points won.
The Infosys Information Platform discovered only four players (Ivo Karlovic, Milos Raonic, Nick Kyrgios and Roger Federer) had a combined rating of more than 50 per cent. That essentially means that when you factor in all first-serve faults and first serves made, those four players are winning more first-serve points than they lose.
A serve efficiency rating like this is an ideal guide for players to pinpoint an area of their game to improve. First serves are all about dropping heat while still trying to primarily pinpoint small targets in the service box corners.
The first serve is the ultimate weapon in our sport, helping players basically end the point before it begins. Finding the right mix of power and consistency now has a number.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/rao ... tober-2016

[Barty]

Raonic: "I'm A Much Better Player"

Spoiler:

Canadian returns for a second showing at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in a positive frame of mind and looking to build on a strong season


A proud Milos Raonic is determined to make his mark in London, declaring "I’m a much better player," upon his return to the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

The 25-year-old sparked his season to life by clinching the Brisbane International Presented By Suncorp, defeating Roger Federer in the final, before establishing himself in the upper echelons of the game by reaching the finals of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells, The Queen’s Club and Wimbledon.

The Canadian first qualified for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in 2014 but is eager to progress past the group stages in east London this time round.

“Yeah it’s really different conditions this time. I had great parts throughout this season, things I’m really proud of, but I’ve also had many difficult moments,” said the World No. 4. “Sometimes I’ve managed to find good form, managed to play well, and then other times I’ve struggled with injuries.

“This year I’ve really earned my spot to be here. Whereas two years ago it came down to one last match."

At the 2014 BNP Paribas Masters Raonic booked his ticket to The O2 arena by achieving the required semi-final spot in Paris with a straight sets triumph over Federer.

"But I also benefited from Nadal not playing that year,” added Raonic. “There was a player (Marin Cilic) who won a Grand Slam who qualified but was ranked behind me, so it was give and take in those conditions.

“I’m excited to be here, I’m a lot more positive and I have a better understanding of my game compared to 2014. I’m a much better player and that is exciting for me.”

Gael Monfils represents Raonic's first opponent in London and the Frenchman leads their head-to-head record 3-2 having prevailed in their last meeting back at the Rogers Cup in July.

Assessing the field at the season finale, Raonic praised the newly crowned World No. 1 Andy Murray for his rise to the top.

“It’s been fantastic some of the things he’s done especially since the US swing in March. He’s been a lot more consistent and solid which I think has been the main difference,” stated the towering Canadian. “It’s given him the ability to win crucial matches early, go through tournaments efficiently without losing too much energy and being able to win on a constant basis after many tournaments in a row.”

Raonic also believes that the Scot can enjoy a sustained period at the top of the rankings.

“I believe so, other than what he has to defend in Melbourne next January (Final at the 2016 Australian Open), he doesn’t have that much to lose as far as the rankings go in the first few months.”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/rao ... 16-preview

[Damian]

[DUN I LOVE]

Miły wygrał dziś pierwsze spotkanie w historii swoich startów na WTF (w 3. meczu).

[Damian]

RAONIC BEATS THIEM TO REACH SFS

Spoiler:

Milos Raonic qualified for the semi-finals of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, at The O2 in London, in second place from Group Ivan Lendl on Thursday night. The fourth seed ended the campaign of eighth seed and first-time qualifier Dominic Thiem 7-6(5), 6-3 to win their second meeting of the season (also Cincinnati), and improved to a 2-1 record in round-robin play.

Both players started in confident fashion – with Raonic hitting 10 winners and losing just two of his service points through his first three service games. There were no break points through to the tie-break. Raonic opened up a 2/0 lead, then lost four straight points as Thiem exploited the Canadian’s weaker backhand wing. But Raonic recovered, striking a smash winner for a 6/4 lead. On his second set point opportunity he hit his 11th ace to clinch the 53-minute opener. He’d hit 22 winners and won all but two of his first service points (21/23).

Raonic continued his march to a 52nd match win of 2016 by breaking Thiem to 15, when the Austrian struck a backhand wide, in the first game of the second set. At 0-2, Thiem recovered from 15/40 by keeping Raonic on the move to remain in contention. But Raonic maintained his advantage, and, in choosing the right times to attack, with Thiem off-balance, created two match-point opportunities when leading 5-3. Thiem ended the 90-minute encounter with a backhand into the net.

Earlier in the day, with victory over alternate David Goffin, Novak Djokovic won Group Ivan Lendl and qualified for the semi-finals with a perfect 3-0 record. Raonic will now play the first-placed qualifier of Group John McEnroe in Saturday’s semi-finals.

Raonic, with a 2-1 record at the finale this year, is now 52-16 on the season. He won 91 per cent of his first-service points, while Thiem ended his year with four trophies and a 58-24 match mark.

http://www.barclaysatpworldtourfinals.c ... 6-thursday

[Lucas]

Raonic: "The Best Match I've Ever Competed In"

Spoiler:

Milos Raonic was one point from snatching a slice of history at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Saturday. The Canadian sat on the cusp of claiming his biggest victory over World No. 1 Andy Murray, and after three and a half hours he could taste the finish line.
But the longest match on the ATP World Tour this year, and longest three-set affair in the history of the season finale (since records were first kept in 1991), would fall just out of reach. Andy Murray moved one step closer to clinching year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings with a pulsating 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(9) victory.
It was a mesmerising thriller at The O2, arguably one of the greatest matches in the tournament’s history. Raonic demonstrated his growing shot-making arsenal and covered every inch of the court behind lightning-fast agility. Despite the defeat, the Canadian showed why he's one of the game's brightest stars.
"It's the best match I've ever competed in," Raonic said. "The way I was constantly trying to stay positive, keep my energy up, trying to fight through, that's definitely the most significant thing I've done today.
"Today I really tried to, in the best way possible, leave it all out there. I turned it around for myself twice there at the end of the third. I turned it around for myself almost there in the tie-break. I just did everything I could, everything that was within me, at least to really try to win. It's that simple."
Twice Murray served for the match deep in the third set and twice Raonic drew proceedings level once again. The Canadian turned aside three match points in the ensuing tie-break, before eventually succumbing after three hours and 38 minutes. Four days after pushing five-time champion Novak Djokovic to two tie-breaks, he once again refused to give in to the pressure, fighting to the very end.
"I have to be proud that I finished the year with giving it every ounce of energy I had. I'll look back at 2016 with a lot of good moments, a lot of pride, a lot to be proud of.
"I think in both matches I had more break point opportunities and more chances. Obviously it can go both ways. But I have to be very proud that I gave myself opportunities, great opportunities, against both of them for the first time this year."
Raonic will finish his best season on the ATP World Tour with a 52-17 mark, including a title run to open the year in Brisbane and finals at Wimbledon, the Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells and on the grass of Queen's Club. He will finish at a career-high No. 3 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, after Kei Nishikori lost to Djokovic in Saturday’s semi-finals.
With Murray now poised to contest his first final at the season finale and bid for the year-end top spot, Raonic admits he's looking forward to a showdown between No. 1 and No. 2.
"He's done a lot of great things. He's really stepped up in these moments. [Novak] will be the biggest test, I think. Andy has been the best player in the world definitely for the past six months. That's the only thing that's sort of missing from there, is that showdown with Novak. If that's the scenario tomorrow, it couldn't be a more ideal one, let's say, for a person that loves tennis."

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/rao ... 6-saturday

[DUN I LOVE]

Numer 3 na koniec sezonu 2016!


Brisbane International

Milos po raz pierwszy w karierze zakończył sezon tenisowy na 3. miejscu listy Entry. Pomimo tylko jednego wygranego turnieju w tym roku (Brisbane w pierwszym tygodniu), Kanadyjczyk zameldował się na pudle, zbierając punkty regularnymi wynikami w najważniejszych imprezach. W tym roku zagrał w finałach Indian Wells, Queens Club, Wimbledonu, półfinałach Australian Open, Cincinnati, Pekinu, Bercy i World Tour Finals.

Kanadyjczyk wygrał w minionym roku 52 mecze, poniósł 17 porażek.

[Damian]

21.11.2016

Najwyższy ranking w karierze: 3

[Barty]

Współpraca Moyi i Raonica się zakończyła.

[DUN I LOVE]

Najlepszy sezon ma za sobą i mimo wszystko trochę dziwny ruch (chyba, że o coś innego chodziło).