By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Could the “Maple Leaf Missile” be targeting a 2023 return on the grass courts this season?
That seems to be the case as Milos Raonic appeared on the entry list for the upcoming ATP 250 Libema Open grass court event in ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, just after the end of Roland Garros.
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The 32-year-old Raonic, who reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 3, has been absent from the ATP tour for a long time due to injuries. Raonic will use his protected ranking of No. 33 to enter ’s-Hertogenbosch.
Raonic, who has won eight career ATP singles titles, last competed on tour in 2021.
The big-serving Canadian struggled with various calf and right leg injuries during that year. At the Atlanta Open that year, Raonic lost his opening round match to eventual finalist Brandon Nakashima. Raonic then ended his season due to an Achilles injury.
In May of 2022, Raonic tried to make a comeback, but that was derailed while he was in Italy when a weight landed on his foot that broke his toe.
Despite recent rumors that Raonic had retired, his coach Mario Tudor stated in recent interviews that Raonic was planning a return in 2023.
While all of Raonic’s singles titles have come on hard courts, it perhaps makes sense that he would return on grass as it’s been the surface on which he has achieved some of his most notable victories.
Raonic reached the Wimbledon singles final in 2016, defeating Roger Federer in five sets in the semifinals before losing to eventual champion Andy Murray. Raonic is still the only Canadian man ever to reach a Grand Slam singles final.
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