Think like a champion; be a champion. Many a question was lobbed at Milos Raonic in the press conference following his semi-final victory over Roger Federer, but one answer revealed more than most.
He was asked about the moment the Swiss crashed to the turf at 2-1 in the final set, “actually hurt”, according to the inquisitor. Was Raonic “concerned Federer might have to withdraw?”
Raonic grinned wolfishly. “No,” he said, unable to prettify the facts. “I was thinking, ‘Where is the guy going to put his first serve?’” Note that use of “the guy”; not even giving his opponent a name. And of course, ultimately it worked. Raonic is the first Canadian man in history to reach a Grand Slam singles final, while Federer – in his 11th Wimbledon semi-final – has discovered for the first time how it feels to lose in the last four here.
“I was very self-centred at that point,” said Raonic frankly, of his moment of victory. “I wasn't really thinking about Roger. I was very focused on myself, proud of the way I was able to pull through.”
And Raonic left no doubt that McEnroe had impressed that idea upon him before the match began.
Tennis fans living on Mars may be unaware that three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe joined Raonic’s coaching team last month.
I wasn't really thinking about Roger. I was very focused on myself, proud of the way I was able to pull through
Commentating on the match live for the BBC, he made the point: “This is not Roger in his prime.”
Asked if he was awed by the 17-time Grand Slam champion, Raonic replied briskly: “You’re playing Roger who he is today, not who he’s been. So you try to focus on that.”
It was a very different Raonic to the player who lost to the Swiss at the same stage here two years ago. As McEnroe put it: “This wasn’t just his serve. He showed a lot of heart and fight. He found another gear he didn’t even know he had. Hit some quality shots. Incredible volleys, huge forehands. You name it, he put it all together at the right moment.”
Raonic agreed: “Two years ago I bottled up all the difficulties I had on court and never got it out. Here I found a way to keep plugging away, keep myself in the match, then turn it around.”
Just 19 days ago he produced an impressive first set against Andy Murray in the final at Queen’s, before the Briton took control and victory too.
Here I found a way to keep plugging away, keep myself in the match, then turn it around
After that defeat Raonic stated his desire for a rematch “in a few Sundays’ time”… and the fates have obliged him. Did he really think it likely as he spoke those words?
“I felt I was doing a lot of things well. I was putting the pieces together. I was hoping they would make some good music for me at that point. I've overcome a lot of different things. Those things have made me stronger. Now I have an even bigger tool-set to face that challenge on Sunday than I did a few Sundays ago.” It also gives him a huge platform to avenge his injury-affected defeat by the Scot in the semi-finals of the Australian Open this year.
Meanwhile Murray, of course, knows a thing or two about carrying his nation’s hopes, and Raonic is very happy to be blazing the Canadian trail.
“It's great to be at the centre and front of that, come Sunday,” he said. “I'm glad I’m leading this charge – the first one to break through and really put these things together.” Then he smiled his wolfish smile, as if he was looking once again at Roger Federer sprawled on the Centre Court turf, and added: “But I'm by no means done.”
