Canadian star Milos Raonic drops out of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel to rest sore shoulder
Canadian tennis superstar Milos Raonic dropped out of the 2011 Abierto Mexicano Telcel earlier today, citing a shoulder injury as the reason behind his last-minute withdrawal. The player, who was scheduled to play against Argentine Carlos Berlocq at the
Acapulco tournament, says, “I came here feeling it 5 to 10 per cent more [than usual]. It’s not by any means anything serious. But with injuries, you have to stop while you’re ahead.”
The 20-year-old pro, who has advanced to World Number 37 after jumping 119 spots since December, recently won his first Association of Tennis Professionals [ATP] title at the 2011 SAP Open. He then took part in the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships, contesting
all his matches in three sets to reach the title match. He and fellow big-server Andy Roddick fought back and forth for over two hours before the former World Number 1 managed to win the tournament.
However, Raonic insists that the hard-fought title match did not take a toll on his ability to play, saying, “It’s not a terrible pain, it’s a minute pain. I feel it on the backhand and on slice serving.” The player also added that he thought long and hard
about the decision, but decided that it would be best for him to withdraw from the tournament this year.
The tennis pro explained that he suffered a 7-milimetre long tear in his left pectoral muscle, and although the injury has healed, he does not want to take the risk of aggravating tendonitis. The player has accelerated his schedule considerably, playing
one-third of the matches he played last year in just the first two months of the new season. If he continues to play, sooner or later the physical wear-and-tear of competing without a break will catch up with him.
Raonic has decided to stay in Mexico to rest and recover, instead of returning home to Thornhill, Ontario. He also stated his intent to return to the clay courts on Thursday to prepare for his Davis Cup appearance for Canada against Mexico. After that, the
player intends to participate at the ATP Masters 1000 Series tournaments at Miami and Indian Wells.
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