Milos Raonic commits to Newport

Written by: Staff on 9th January 2012

Milos Raonic commits to Newport

Milos Raonic of Canada poses with the trophy after winning the final match against Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia at the Chennai Open 2012 tennis tournament in Chennai, India, 08 January 2012. EPA/NATHAN G |

NEWPORT, R.I., January 9, 2012 – The 2012 ATP World Tour season got underway this past weekend and last year’s Newcomer of the Year Milos Raonic set the tone for another exciting year ahead by defeating world No. 9 Janko Tipsarevic and world No. 10 Nicolas Almagro to capture the season opener title at the Aircel Chennai Open in India. While tennis season may still be a ways off in the minds of many New Englanders, fans have a lot to look forward to at the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships as Raonic, now world No. 25, has committed to play, joining world No. 17 John Isner as the early commitments to the field.

“No doubt, Milos Raonic is one of the most exciting rising stars on the ATP World Tour. We are glad to see his season off to a great start, and we are quite pleased to be able to welcome him to Newport in July,” said Tournament Director Mark L. Stenning. “With Milos Raonic and John Isner already committed to the field, fans can anticipate a great week of tennis, and we’re looking forward to announcing more top players as well.”

The Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships will be held July 9 – 15, 2011 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. The event is the only grass court pro tournament outside of Europe and the only men’s ATP World Tour event in the Northeast. Tournament tickets are on sale now on tennisfame.com or by calling 866-914-FAME (3263). In celebration of this exciting start to the season, an “Early Bird – Early Rounds” ticket offer is available from now through January 22. To save 10% on all tickets for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday sessions, use promo code EARLY2012.

In this weekend’s three hour and 14 minute final in India, Raonic served 35 aces to ultimately overcome Tipsarevic in a hard-fought match, 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 7-6(4). Raonic had a breakout season last year, rising from No. 156 at the start of the season to No. 31 at year-end and earning the honor of 2011 Newcomer of the Year. Along the way he achieved victories over some of the Tour’s top players including then No. 10 Mikhail Youzhny, then No. 12 Gael Monfils, and then No. 15 Mardy Fish. He picked up his first ATP World Tour title at San Jose, where he defeated Xavier Malisse, James Blake, fellow rising star Ricardas Berankis, and Gael Monfils en route to the final, in which he overcame then world No. 9 Fernando Verdasco. Raonic went on to play in one of the season’s most exciting matches – the Memphis final, in which he fell to Andy Roddick in an incredibly tight match, 6-7(7), 7-6(11), 5-7. Raonic first started catching attention early in the season last year, when he had an outstanding run at the Australian Open, advancing from the qualifying rounds to the Round of 16.

Born in Montenegro and raised in Canada, Raonic is Canada’s No. 1 player and he made his Davis Cup debut for the country in 2011. This year will be Raonic’s first main draw appearance in Newport, where he played in the qualifying rounds in 2010.

In addition to a week of pro tennis, the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships will feature great special events, highlighted by the 2012 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, July 14.

For additional information and to order tickets, please call the Tournament Office at 401-849-6053 or 866-914-FAME (3263) or visit www.tennisfame.com.