Mentally stronger Raonic waiting for body to catch up

Originally published on 19/06/15

The world No.8 was playing in his first tournament in six weeks after missing the French Open to undergo surgery to correct a pinched nerve in his right foot. Making his debut at the ATP 500 event, Raonic reached his seventh quarter-final of the season, but fell 4-6 6-3 7-5 to Simon on Friday.

But Raonic is pleased with the progress he has made this week and believes he has emerged mentally stronger from his time away from the court.

“Other than playing probably six matches, I haven’t played tennis for ten weeks,” said Raonic. “I came in here with a week's training.  My body is a little bit beaten up, but it's all the kind of progressional pains that I know I go through this right now and it's going to have me better prepared by the time Wimbledon comes around.

“The feet and the right foot especially is good.  I'm happy with the way things are going, the progress I'm making.  Obviously there is always little things, but everything is under control and the progress is definitely positive.

“Everthing is changing day by day. I'm competing really well. I have taken the time, over this time that I couldn't play, I think I have improved my mental side significantly and I have given myself more tools to use.  

“I just needed my body to catch up a little bit, and therefore, I think I can do great at Wimbledon.”

Simon won just two points on Raonic's serve in the first set, but came back strongly to reach his second career semi-final on grass. The world No.13 will face another big server, Kevin Anderson, in Saturday’s semi-finals after the South African defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 7-6(7) 7-5.

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