One of the biggest storylines of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers is the return to Toronto of home favourite Milos Raonic. Fans idolise the former World No. 3, who has inspired the current generation of Canadians — including Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov — and stars of the future.
So it was fitting that the 32-year-old began his Media Day on Sunday by sitting on the podium in front of a group of kids participating in the Rogers First Set programme, which is designed to introduce Canadian youth to the sport. Who better to put questions to than the player who raised the profile of men’s tennis in Canada more than anyone else of his generation?
After missing nearly two years due to injury, Raonic sat with a big smile on his face. He first returned in June in ’s-Hertogenbosch and also competed in Wimbledon. But now the eight-time ATP Tour titlist is back in action on home soil, where he has made his biggest impact. As journalists filed into the room for the press conference, one reporter asked Raonic if during his absence he feared what his identity might be beyond tennis.
“I think the biggest thing was will I end up finding something I enjoy as much and have the same kind of passion and obsession with as I do with tennis,” Raonic said. “Having a good year plus of no tennis whatsoever, because I didn’t pick up a racquet for about 14, 15 months, I was able to calm those fears.
“And then I was able to kind of look at it and try to point out by when I could get ready to try to give it a bit more time and get ready to play at a higher level. And that’s kind of a process and then came back about a month and a half ago, two months ago and been enjoying it.”
A leading star of the tournament, Raonic fulfilled several media requests, from his press conferences — one with the kids and the other with the journalists — to several television interviews and a chat with the tournament’s digital content team. But from following the Canadian throughout his media circuit, what became clear is that Raonic is most looking forward to actually competing, which he will do Monday evening against Frances Tiafoe.
“The competing is the most enjoyable part,” he said in one interview.
Photo: ATP Tour
Raonic has been working hard to position himself to make the most of his opportunity. The three-time Toronto quarter-finalist has been training since his arrival with some of the best players in the world. One of them, Daniil Medvedev, reflected on what he has…
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