By Alberto Amalfi | Friday, December 30, 2016
"I think it’s really about stepping up my game and being more aggressive and coming forward more," says Milos Raonic of his major quest.
Photo credit: Brisbane International
Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic believes he’s on the verge of a major breakthrough.
The third-ranked Raonic looks up to his Wimbledon conqueror, world No. 1 Andy Murray, and second-ranked Novak Djokovic in the rankings. Raonic owns a combined 3-17 record against the pair (3-9 vs. Murray, 0-8 vs. Djokovic).
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The 26-year-old Canadian is convinced he’s closing the gap. Raonic “definitely believes” he will breakthrough and win his first Grand Slam title.
“Can I win a grand slam? I definitely believe so,” Raonic told The Gulf News at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. “I was one match away, three sets away. I believe I am the most consistent of the [major contenders] week in, week out.”
It’s been a busy off season for the Australian Open semifinalist. Raonic parted company with coach Carlos Moya, who is now coaching Rafael Nadal. That split came months after Raonic split with coaching consultant John McEnroe.
Nadal posted a three-set win over Raonic at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition in Abu Dhabi today.
Coming off a season in which he posted a 52-17 record and beat Roger Federer to win his eighth career title in Brisbane, Raonic sees plenty of room for improvement.
“I think it’s really about stepping up my game and being more aggressive and coming forward more,” said Raonic, who was 1-3 in finals this season.
Aiming to continue that forward march, Raonic has hired 1996 Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, who briefly worked with Stan Wawrinka during the grass-court season, as new coach. Krajicek joins a team that includes long-time head coach Riccardo Piatti.
“I am not just content where I am right now; I need to be much better,” Raonic said. “I hesitate sometimes and am content just to stay in the rally. There are a lot of points in each matches where I could step forward. Those goals are exemplified by my choice of working with Richard.”
A powerful serve-and-volley player, the 45-year-old Krajicek is one of a few champions who holds a winning record against Hall of Famer Pete Sampras. Krajicek won six of 10 meetings with the seven-time Wimbledon winner, including a 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-4 quarterfinal conquest en route to the 1996 Wimbledon crown that snapped Sampras' run of three straight titles at the grass-court Grand Slam.
"Krajicek could really put the pressure on," Sampras said. "If he had his serve going, he was very tough to break, and that put more pressure on my service games."