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Milos Raonic Withdraws from National Bank Open Due to Shoulder Injury in Canada
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    Milos Raonic Withdraws from National Bank Open Due to Shoulder Injury in Canada

    Former world No. 3 and Canadian Milos Raonic announced Tuesday night that he has decided to withdraw from the National Bank Open due to a shoulder injury.

    “I tried to warm up for my match today and the thing that was most difficult was the serve. I don’t think I would’ve been able to be competitive by any means,” said Raonic, who had felt pain in his shoulder over the past 48 hours.

    “I’ve had a lot of moments (in my career) where I haven’t been able to play, but I’d say this is probably the most difficult one. I haven’t played here in five years, and I don’t know if I’ll ever come back to Montreal.”

    Raonic, of Thornhill, Ont., wasn’t the only negative news for Canada on Tuesday at IGA Stadium.

    Denis Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil lost 6-4, 6-3 to Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori of Italy in 62 minutes, while Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alexis Galarneau lost 6-0, 6-1 in 46 minutes to Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell of Australia.

    Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Pospisil of Vancouver found themselves in an early 3-1 hole during the first set. The duo fought back but could not make up the difference with the lone break being the difference maker. Bolelli and Vavassori were imperious, winning 20 of their 23 service points in the opening set.

    The Canadians were immediately broken again in the first game of the second set, putting them on the back foot. The No. 5-ranked pairing in the world took over from there, refusing to let Shapovalov and Pospisil back into the game to secure the straight sets win.

    Montreal’s Auger-Aliassime, who had just come off a deep run in the 2024 Paris Olympics — he finished fourth in singles and won bronze in mixed doubles — couldn’t get things going with Galarneau, who had to finish a singles’ qualifier earlier in the day.

    Immediately broken by the No. 12-ranked pairing of Thompson and Purcell, the Canadians were whipped 6-0 in the first set. The second set offered more of the same as Thompson and Purcell won the match easily.

    Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov and Pospisil are all competing in the men’s singles tournament alongside fellow Canadian Gabriel Diallo.

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    Canadian tennis player Milos Raonic has announced his withdrawal from the National Bank Open due to a shoulder injury. The 30-year-old, who was set to compete in the prestigious tournament in Canada, made the difficult decision to pull out in order to prioritize his health and recovery.

    Raonic, who is currently ranked 22nd in the world, has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, particularly to his shoulder. The Canadian star has had to deal with multiple setbacks over the years, including surgeries and extended periods of rehabilitation.

    In a statement released to the press, Raonic expressed his disappointment at having to withdraw from the tournament, but emphasized the importance of taking care of his body in order to prolong his career. He stated, “I am extremely disappointed to have to withdraw from the National Bank Open. I was really looking forward to competing in front of my home crowd, but unfortunately my shoulder is not at 100% and I need to focus on my recovery.”

    Raonic’s decision to prioritize his health is a wise one, as shoulder injuries can be particularly debilitating for tennis players. The shoulder is a crucial joint in the sport, as it is heavily involved in serving, overhead shots, and other key movements. Playing through an injury can not only worsen the condition, but also increase the risk of long-term damage.

    Despite his withdrawal from the National Bank Open, Raonic remains optimistic about his future in tennis. He is determined to work with his medical team to address his shoulder issues and come back stronger than ever. Fans of the Canadian star will undoubtedly be rooting for his speedy recovery and return to the court.

    In the meantime, Raonic’s absence from the National Bank Open will be felt by both players and fans alike. The tournament, which is part of the ATP Masters 1000 series, will continue without one of its top contenders. However, the health and well-being of the players should always come first, and Raonic’s decision to prioritize his recovery is a testament to his professionalism and dedication to the sport.