Canada’s Davis Cup Star Is Ill, Withdraws From Miami

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 26th March 2013

Canada’s Davis Cup Star Is Ill, Withdraws From Miami

epa03586327 Milos Raonic of Canada reaches out for a return against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan during the SAP Open tennis at HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, USA 15 February 2013. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

Canada goes into the biggest Davis Cup tie in the nation’s history next week when they bid to become World Group semi-finalists for the first time.

The prospect of going into the match without leading player Milos Raonic, forced to withdraw from the Sony Open in Miami with a throat infection, is enough to spread panic.

However Raonic, winner of both his singles rubbers in the previous round’s unexpected win over multiple champions Spain, insists he should be completely recovered by the middle of next week and ready to face Italy at the Thunderbird Sports Arena in Vancouver.

Raonic pulled out of his Miami meeting with American Sam Querrey and things did not look good when he initially reported: “I got sick over the last two days with strep throat. I felt really bad the last two nights. I wasn’t able to sleep with the high fever. I had discomfort and pain all over the body.

“I only decided not to play just before my match, I was trying to play it out as long as possible. But I feel completely drained.”

But within a couple of hours the world no.16 was responding to treatment and gave the reassuring news: “This will pass and I’m sure I’ll be fine for Davis Cup. I’m already feeling a lot better than I did at 2am in the morning.”

It was the second straight year that hard luck has struck the 22-year-old Raonic in Miami. In 2012, he was unable to play Andy Murray in the third round due to an ankle injury.

“It’s just bad luck, nothing more,” said a pale Raonic, who said he had a fever prior to playing his previous match on Saturday against Frenchman Guillaume Rufin. “Between a twisted ankle and illness, I hope that’s it for bad luck in Miami.”