Former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic has revealed the drastic measures he underwent to stage a return at this year’s Grand Slam.
The former world No.3 began his comeback to professional tennis last month after two years out of action due to various injury woes. Part of his motivation to do so was to play at the grasscourt major one more time in his career. Although it has been far from easy for the Canadian who said he lost roughly 40 pounds in just one month after undergoing a crash diet. Something he admits ‘wasn’t the healthiest thing to do.”
“For a year all I did was gym and weights, stuff like that. First, I put on a little too much muscle, then I got a little too heavy because I couldn’t do the cardio that I used to,” he explained.
“I lost the first forty pounds in the first four weeks. It maybe wasn’t the healthiest thing but I wasn’t getting there the other way. I ate a standard skirt steak a day (on its own with nothing else) and drank only water.”
Raonic said his decision to go to such extreme measures was because he wasn’t getting the desired results with gradual weight loss. Although many sports nutritionists would warn against eating just one piece of meat a day and nothing else.
Nevertheless, Raonic managed to fulfill his goal of returning to Wimbledon which is the venue of his best-ever Grand Slam performance back in 2016 when he was runner-up. After coming through his first round match, he was stopped in the second round by 16th seed Tommy Paul who prevailed 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 6-4.
“Overall it was all positive but some things in the short term you kind of wish were different,” he said of his latest match. “I’m glad that I got to come here (to Wimbledon) after two years.
“It wasn’t that much of a competitive match, to be honest. Score wise it was but for two-and-a-half sets I was pretty much walking during the points. It was not a fun situation but I tried to make the most of what was a rough situation.” He added.
Once again the 32-year-old was bothered by physical ailments. This time it was his knee that swelled up during his clash with Paul. Midway through the match he took a toilet break but admitted it was ‘kind of impossible’ to walk up the stairs. On top of that, he also had issues with his shoulder.
It is a frustrating situation for Raonic who has hinted that this year is his final appearance as a player at The All England Club.
“I would say it’s more likely no than yes. I will come and enjoy it but I don’t think I will play it again,” he said.
As for life outside of tennis, he hopes to spend time away from the limelight after growing up with so much media attention on him.
“I like to keep that close to myself,” Raonic replied when asked what his future plans are. “Hopefully, it will be something very different. I’ve played tennis very publicly and I haven’t always enjoyed the attention. I like to keep to myself and I think I will embrace it.”
Before he retires for good, whenever that will be, Raonic is aiming to return to action at the Canadian Masters next month. As long as his body holds up.
