Milos Raonic arrived at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers from the Paris Olympic Games where his compatriots Félix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriela Dabrowski won Canada’s first tennis medal in 24 years.
The former world no. 3, who is often credited with paving the way for the current generation of Canadian players, was full of praise for the historic achievement when he met with the media in Montreal on Sunday.
“I think it’s incredible, it’s been 20 plus years since Daniel (Nestor) and Sébastien (Lareau) did it, winning gold in doubles, Raonic said. “Félix (Auger-Aliassime) really took on a lot playing three events throughout the whole week. I think it’s just a testament to the infrastructure of Canadian tennis, the belief of Canadian tennis and the respect for Canadian tennis that has changed over the last decade”
Read: Auger-Aliassime, Dabrowski Win Olympic Mixed Doubles Bronze
The 33-year-old, who played in Paris 12 years after his first Olympic experience in London, had a whole new perspective during his second go-around and did his best to take in the atmosphere away from the courts and enjoy the opportunity in a different way.
Regardless of the many historic firsts he accomplished that helped put Canada on the tennis map, Raonic isn’t focused on his own individual legacy but instead on the growth of the sport as a collective effort.
“All I really focused on was playing the best tennis possible and be as good as I can be and if that had some other effects, it’s great if it happens,” Raonic explained. “It makes a big difference when you’re growing up and you can see that as an athlete from that country that you can succeed in that sport. And now that there are more and more athletes succeeding, you believe in the process more. This is a process that works, it’s a process that’s developed great players.”
READ: Five years later, Milos makes his way to Montréal
Speaking of the process, for the first time in five years, Raonic will play on the same IGA Stadium courts where he honed his craft as a promising junior at Tennis Canada’s National Tennis Centre and at the same tournament where he became the first Canadian to reach a Masters 1000 final in 2013.
“I’ve played some of my best tennis in Montreal,” Raonic said. “I was here for a few years that were really pivotal to the development of my career so it’s always a great pleasure to be back.
It seems only fitting that the occasion will be marked by the celebration of another landmark moment that he played a role in inspiring, whether he wants to admit it or not.
Feature photo: Pascal Ratthé
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