Image Source: BBC
Key Takeaways
- Milos Raonic, a former Wimbledon finalist, has announced his retirement from tennis at the age of 35
- Raonic achieved a career-high world ranking of three in 2016 and won eight tour-level titles
- He is known for his powerful serve, which earned him the nickname ‘Missile’
- Raonic played his last match at the 2024 Olympics, losing in the first round to Germany’s Dominik Koepfer
- He plans to stay motivated and hungry for his next venture, putting the same effort and intensity into his future endeavors
Introduction to Milos Raonic’s Retirement
Milos Raonic, a former Wimbledon finalist, has announced his retirement from tennis, bringing an end to a successful career that spanned over a decade. The 35-year-old Canadian, known for his powerful serve, which earned him the nickname ‘Missile’, achieved a career-high world ranking of three in 2016. As he hangs up his racket, Raonic reflected on his journey, saying, "The time has come, I am retiring from tennis. This is a moment you know will come one day, but somehow you never feel ready for it. This is as ready as I will ever be." Raonic’s decision to retire comes after a long and illustrious career, during which he won eight tour-level titles and reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
A Career of Achievements
Raonic’s career was marked by several notable achievements, including his run to the Wimbledon final in 2016, where he beat Roger Federer in the semi-finals before losing to Andy Murray in the final. As he looked back on his career, Raonic said, "I have been the luckiest person to get to live out and fulfil my dreams. I got to show up every day and focus on just getting better, seeing where that will take me, and playing a game I was introduced to at eight-year-old by complete luck." Raonic’s powerful serve was a key factor in his success, and he became one of the most feared servers on the tour. He won his first ATP title at the Pacific Coast Championships in 2011 and went on to win seven more titles, including the Brisbane International and the St. Petersburg Open.
Reflections on a Life of Tennis
As Raonic reflected on his life in tennis, he spoke about the impact the sport had on his life, saying, "Tennis has been my love and obsession for most of my life. Somehow, this became my entire obsession and childhood, and then became my profession and life." Raonic’s love for tennis was evident throughout his career, and he was known for his dedication and work ethic. He played his last match at the 2024 Olympics, losing in the first round to Germany’s Dominik Koepfer. Despite his retirement, Raonic remains grateful for the opportunities he had, saying, "I got to show up every day and focus on just getting better, seeing where that will take me, and playing a game I was introduced to at eight-year-old by complete luck."
Life After Tennis
As Raonic looks to the future, he is excited to take on new challenges and pursue new passions. He said, "What’s next? I won’t be slowing down. There is so much more life to live, and I am as motivated and hungry as I was in 2011, when I broke through on tour. I will put the same effort and intensity into the next thing." Raonic’s determination and enthusiasm are likely to serve him well as he embarks on this new chapter of his life. While he may be retiring from tennis, he is by no means retiring from life, and his fans will be eager to see what he achieves next. As he said, "I have been the luckiest person to get to live out and fulfil my dreams," and it is clear that he is excited to see what the future holds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Milos Raonic’s retirement from tennis marks the end of an era for the sport. His powerful serve and dedication to the game made him a fan favorite, and his achievements on the court will be remembered for years to come. As he looks to the future, Raonic is excited to take on new challenges and pursue new passions. His determination and enthusiasm are likely to serve him well, and his fans will be eager to see what he achieves next. As Raonic himself said, "This is as ready as I will ever be," and it is clear that he is ready to take on whatever comes next.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/c2k9qzp1w17o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D
