When the ATP released its latest world-rankings this week, Canadian tennis star Milos Raonic still found himself on the outside looking in at a coveted spot in the top ten.
At his children’s charity event in support of the Milos Raonic Foundation, held at Ryerson’s Mattamy Athletic Centre Tuesday night, Raonic – already the highest-ranked men’s tennis player in Canadian history – wasn’t discouraged.
Instead, the 11th-ranked player in the world set his sights even higher.
Milos Raonic poses for photgraphers during his children’s charity event at Ryerson, Nov. 19, 2013 (Dan Berlin/Ryersonian Staff)
“My goal is to one day become the best player in the world,” said Raonic, whose never made it past the fourth round of a grand slam tournament. “They definitely are big goals. I’ve got to focus on what I need to do…to get closer to those top guys, to be competing with them for the top events.”
While the 22-year-old Thornhill, Ont. native has made some noise on the ATP tour this year – winning two titles while cracking the top ten for a week in August – it’s been his recent success representing Canada in Davis Cup play that has elevated him to superstar status in his homeland.
Led by Raonic, the Canadian team made its deepest run ever at the Davis Cup, before finally bowing out to world No. 2 Novak Djokovic and Serbia in the semi-finals.
He’s now the face of tennis in Canada. And if he can ever reach his lofty goals, the sport in this country will also be elevated to new heights.
“The best way I can advertise tennis in Canada is through success,” said Raonic. “If I’m winning I think…tennis in Canada will grow.”
Dan graduated from the Ryerson School of Journalism in 2014.
