Milos Raonic Expects Kooyong to Prepare Him for the Open

Written by: Staff on 9th January 2013

Milos Raonic Expects Kooyong to Prepare Him for the Open

epa03424227 Milos Raonic of Canada in action against Kei Nishikori of Japan during the final of the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships tournament in Tokyo Japan, 07 October 2012. Nishikori won the final 7-6. 3-6, 6-0. EPA/TOMOYUKI KAYA |

Milos Raonic is hungry in every possible way as the Canadian No.1 begins final preparations for the Australian Open which starts on Monday.

The 13th-ranked right-hander is playing the eight-man Kooyong Classic at a four-day special event where he is appearing for the second year in a row after playing one match in 2012 but retiring afterwards due to fatigue following a title and a rough flight from India.

This year, it’s steak that’s currently inspiring the 22-year-old as Raonic vows to stick with the successful career tics which have brought close to the ATP top 10.

In Melbourne, that means a meaty meal at the same unnamed steak house in his Crown casino hotel which has served the purpose for the Canadian ever since he first appeared in the main draw in 2011.

“I prepare in the same way with the same superstitions,” Raonic said on Tuesday at the Kooyong event launch, where he begins play against Aussie tennis hero Lleyton Hewitt.

“It doesn’t matter who I play, Ill eat a steak before a match at the same place. I’ve probably had 20 of them there.

“Everything stays the same, I know what works for me and I don’t want to stride away from it. I’ll be having one tonight.”

Raonic joking cautioned that just because his favorite joint is within the casino complex, it doesn’t mean anything more. “It’s in the casino – but I don’t gamble,” he quickly added. “The steaks are expensive enough and I don’t want to lose more.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Aami Classic, Australian Open, Canadian tennis news, Kooyong tennis news, milos raonic, Sports, Tennis News