Starting his new season at the Mubadala World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi after missing several weeks of tennis in 2015 through injuries, Milos Raonic was asked about his main goal for 2016.
“The main goal for 2016 is really to stay healthy,” he said. “The last year was probably the most draining one because everyday since, I would say, April 1, was a doubt. ‘Can I play this day, how can I do it’.”
If he could stay healthy, Raonic said he could “do really good things” and “hopefully make a big result, much bigger than I have in the past”.
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The Canadian has been making good results for sure – he beat Roger Federer to win the title in Brisbane, beat Stan Wawrinka on his way to the last-four at the Australian Open and was in the final at Indian Wells on Sunday.
His wish to stay healthy, however, has not really come true. In the semi-final of the Australian Open, Raonic could barely move in the latter stages of his five-set loss to Andy Murray because of an abductor injury.
Raonic was forced to sit out for a month and could only make his return in Indian Wells, but now he is doubt for Miami with what looks like the same abductor injury. He took a medical timeout after the first set of his 6-2, 6-0 loss to Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final and will be consulting his medical staff for the "right investigation" before he makes a decision about Miami.
Raonic seemed confident the injury is not as bad as Australia and his fans will be hoping he is right. For he is playing some of the best tennis of his career in 2016 and another injury break could be really frustrating for the 25-year-old star.
Raonic, as he revealed in Abu Dhabi, sets really high standards for himself and he is not really a very patient guy. "When I want something, I try to get it as quickly as I can," he said.
A major crown is high up on his list of wants and the way he is playing at the moment, Raonic must fancy his chances. Now, if only his body can support him through those crucial matches, the semis and finals.
arizvi@thenational.ae
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