Raonic Looking To Bounce Back On The Tour

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 23rd July 2013

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

Raonic Looking To Bounce Back On The Tour

epa03718261 Milos Raonic of Canada in action during his 1st round match against Xavier Malisse of Belgium at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 26 May 2013. EPA/CAROLINE BLUMBERG |

Milos Raonic is looking to the upcoming North American hardcourt summer to re-establish him as a solid contender after a Wimbledon disappointment which he has followed up with sessions of hard work under new coach Ivan Ljubicic.

Canada’s Raonic, ranked 13th, will play for the first time since his second-round London loss to Igor Sijsling as he headlines the local lineup at the Montreal Masters next month.

Already, the 22-year-old is training in Canada, with federation officials wasting no time in putting him on show as the face of their Masters 1000. But Raonic knows he will have to put up or shut up after stalling somewhat in his progress in 2013.

“I’m at my career-high ranking and not playing well the first six months of the year,” he told the Canadian Press. “That’s definitely a positive note, and I think I can turn that around pretty quickly. I believe in myself and the team I’m with, and we’re just putting in the hours to do so.”

Raonic has hit a trough, failing to win two consecutive matches over his past six events dating to an April Barcelona semi-final. “This is the first time I’ve been a little bit disappointed with myself outside of an injury. There is some just learning how to deal with that,” he said, adding:

“Nothing’s just going to be smooth-sailing. It’s too competitive out there for that.”

Raonic and Ljubicic have yet to show any breakthroughs, with both hoping they will come over the pre-US Open period. “I like the type of work we’re putting in, I have a lot of belief in the kind of work we’re doing,” said the Canadian.

“I think it’s all just adding up together and it’s (going in) the right direction. It’s just about getting confidence. The best way to do that is through work,”