By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Could "swagger" give Milos Raonic an advantage in London?
Raonic enters the ATP World Tour Finals in London for the first time after ending the regular season on a high note. The Canadian enjoyed a strong finish at the Paris Masters last week by finally earning a win over Roger Federer and then making the ATP 1000 event final. Many feel the similar indoor conditions in London will again reward Raonic and his massive serve.
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But could Raonic's best weapon actually be his innate self-belief that he not only deserves to be among the tour's elite but, eventually one day, the very best?
One of the "Young Guns" group of several breakout players, Raonic continues making steady steps higher in a career that definitely feels like a work-in-progress. As Raonic has made strides to strengthen the rest of his game, including his movement, his returns and his volleys, his results have improved.
After a slow start to this season due to an ankle injury, Raonic made up for lost time by reaching his first Grand Slam quarterfinal in Roland Garros and then his first major semifinal at Wimbledon. Raonic later in the summer won an all-Canadian final against Vasek Pospisil to win his first ATP 500 title in Washington, D.C. Raonic lost at the US Open in a late-night fourth round battle to Kei Nishikori. He also finished as runner-up for a third year in a row at the Japan Open.
Now Raonic approaches London, and new territory, as the round robin event will force him to square off right away with the best on tour. When asked about that, Raonic gave one of his now trademark well-thought, definitive responses that he's known for in his press conferences.
"I think the toughest thing that's going to be‑‑ especially for the first time going to London, toughest thing that's going to be to adapt to is not really having those early round matches where you sort of find your way into the event, tournament, per se," Raonic said. "So you're going to have to be obviously with a limited expectation, because you can't be really expecting to play your best tennis your first match. But you will have to find a way to accelerate the sort of search or solutions on search of a certain level of tennis.It's going to be something new to me, but I'm more than ready to make that adjustment if need be."
While Raonic's big serve is the cornerstone of his game, it's his intense, super-focused approach to each point that is perhaps the most fascinating thing to watch about him. Raonic's game may look "simple" as in "serve big", but the look on his face on court definitely shows how deep in thought he is between each point.
Then there's the compression sleeve he now wears on his right arm. Raonic started that back in March to protect himself from a skin rash. But now he likes the feeling it gives him and it creates something of a NBA basketball player aura around him every time he plays a match. It even has it's own catchphrase now.
While Raonic admits he's facing something of an unknown scenario entering London, if he allows his innate self-assuredness to overcome any nerves or second thoughts, then he just might play the event like a seasoned pro and not as someone making his debut.
Whether one calls it belief, confidence or old school swagger, Milos Raonic has it. He even has the matching 1950's slick hair style that makes him look like an extra right out of the classic film "Rebel Without a Cause" starring James Dean. Raonic may not be a rebel, but he certainly has a cause - that of becoming the best tennis player on earth. He'll get a chance to see how much closer he is to getting there when he struts out on to the cool blue courts of London next week.
Season Highlights:
Win/Loss Record: 49-18
Winner: Washington, D.C.
Finalist: Tokyo, Paris
ATP World Tour Finals Best Result: First Time Appearance
(Photo Credit: Getty)