Canadian heavy-hitter Milos Raonic has signalled his intentions to come out all guns blazing when he takes to the court at Brisbane International 2015, believing he has unfinished business in Australia.
Hampered by a foot injury, the world no.8 limped out in the third round of last year’s Australian Open, and was sidelined for almost two months, missing his country’s opening round Davis Cup tie.
However, this time, there are no concerns after a rigorous pre-season in Monte Carlos.
“I feel like I’m in great shape. I’m looking forward to getting playing and sort of writing up a different storyline than I had here last year,” he said.
“I’m very eager. I spent a lot of weeks training and building up to this.”
The rest of 2014 saw a best showing in the majors for Raonic, with a French Open quarterfinal followed up by a semifinal appearance at Wimbledon, becoming the first Canadian since Robert Powell in 1908 to make the semifinal of a grand slam.
He also earned a maiden victory against Roger Federer in Paris at the final ATP event of the year, sending down 21 aces in two tight sets against the Swiss maestro.
But despite the breakthrough performance, his head-to-head record against Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic still stands at a lopsided 1 and 16 and unless the planets align, it is reasonable to suggest the 24-year-old will have to break past at least one of those players if he is to become the first Canadian to lift a Grand Slam trophy.
While pleased with his efforts that see him enter the Brisbane International inside the top 10, Raonic believes he can find another gear against the game’s elite.
“I’ve just got to tighten up in specific moments. Sometimes I feel like I got to play a little bit better when it comes down to clutch moments, especially later in sets,” he said.
“A lot of times I’ve sort of been able to get myself in that position, and only really one time against Roger was I able to make the most of it.
“I keep putting myself in that position. I think having a chance to look back over a longer period of time, having a chance to improve, I can deal better with those moments.”
When asked about tactics during those clutch points, Raonic revealed he was prepared to stick with the standard game plan, saying he wasn’t prepared to attempt anything outlandish or outside the box.
“I think it’s about believing in yourself and doing what you know best,” he said.
“I think you got to get those doubts and that hesitance out.
“I don’t think it’s about taking a risk and doing something that’s not within your wheelhouse.”
Raonic begins his Brisbane International campaign against Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin.