Milos Raonic moving past 'catastrophe' of injuries, faces Juan Martin del Potro in Indian Wells semi-finals

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  • In Milos Raonic’s own words, his injury-plagued past 14 months have been “a catastrophe”.

    The Canadian was ranked No. 3 in the world just 16 months ago. Today he is No. 38 after struggling with a series of injuries and setbacks that ranged from wrist surgery to a torn hamstring to a hurt knee.

    Entering Indian Wells, Raonic had played just four matches on tour this year, winning one and losing three.

    He seems to have turned a corner though as he booked himself a spot in the Indian Wells semi-finals, where he takes on another player who knows all too well the pain and suffering of injury: Juan Martin del Potro.

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  • “At the beginning of last year I had a couple tears in my – let’s go down the list. Right adductor, left glute at the beginning of the year. Then I tore my hamstring beginning of February,” recalls Raonic.

    “After Wimbledon I had to have wrist surgery. Through the summer I tried to play a few events, tried to treat the issue. That wasn’t possible. I had surgery just before the US Open. Was hoping to start my offseason in the early weeks of October. No, early weeks of November.

    “And then in November I hurt my knee. I hurt my meniscus, so I couldn’t play for six weeks. Started training just before the Australian Open, and I’m here today…

    “It’s been a catastrophe,” he concludes.

    The 27-year-old Raonic, a finalist at Wimbledon in 2016, is into his eighth Masters 1000 semi-final and first since Paris 2016, thanks to a 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 win over 18th-seeded Sam Querrey on Friday.

    The Canadian was runner-up to Novak Djokovic here in 2016 and made the last-four in 2015 – those were his last two appearances in the California desert, having missed it the 2017 edition through injury.

    In his corner this fortnight in Palm Springs is Goran Ivanisevic, who is coaching Raonic on a trial basis in Indian Wells and Miami.

    Ivanisevic, a former Wimbledon champion who helped Marin Cilic win the 2014 US Open, is having a strong start with Raonic, who is still finding his way back to top form.

    “The one thing he has done is he’s made the objectives very clear with me and really tried to simplify things just so I can stick to the things I know how to do well and not try to overcomplicate my tennis at this moment,” Raonic said of Ivanisevic.

    “And when you make a decision, go for it. Don’t question it. Don’t think about the what ifs. What should I do? What shouldn’t I do? Just stick.

    “And he’s well aware. He’s come back from injury many times. You know, doing the things with conviction is the most important thing at first.”

    Raonic, who is searching for a first title since Brisbane 2016, admits he is still lacking discipline during his matches but is pleased with how he’s been hitting the ball.

    He’s not too happy about his ranking though, a sore subject he tries to avoid discussing.

    “I prefer not to talk about it, I’m not too proud of it that’s for sure,” he says when asked about the number 38 next to his name.

    “I’ll talk about things. Just you know I don’t feel great about it. When people ask me ‘what’s your ranking today?’ it’s not my proudest moment.”

    He’ll move up to at least No. 25 when the new rankings are released on Monday.

    Raonic takes a 2-1 head-to-head record against Del Potro entering their semi-final on Saturday.

    Their most recent meeting was a Raonic win over Del Potro in the Delray Beach semi-finals last year.

    Del Potro is into the last-four stage in Indian Wells for a third time in his career, with his best appearance being a runner-up showing to Rafael Nadal in 2013.

    The Argentine is on a nine-match winning streak, his latest triumph a battling 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber.

    Del Potro is seeking a first title at the Masters 1000 level, having lost three finals in Indian Wells (2013), Shanghai (2013) and Canada (2009).

    “I lost many finals, and I would like to be in the final again. But I know Milos is another guy who can win the tournament. Roger (Federer) and (Borna) Coric are playing so good. So everything can happen. But I’m looking forward to win the first one (Masters 1000) here,” said Del Potro.

    The 29-year-old, who has recovered from four wrist surgeries throughout his career – one on his right and three on his left – nearly quit tennis a few years ago, but is now ranked No. 8 in the world, with an Olympic silver medal and Davis Cup title under his belt.

    He hopes his journey back from injuries can be inspiring for others.

    “They know how much effort I did to survive on this sport to make surgeries, for never give up. And I think it’s a good story for the kids to learn about the effort of the life, you know,” said Del Potro.

    “Everybody has to do efforts to get what you want, and I wanted to keep playing tennis. I paid very high price to do it, but I did it and I’m so happy to solve the problem. I’m staying here with this level.”

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